THE 

SKIN  GAME 


TEE  WORKS  OF 
JOHN  GALSWORTHY 

FICTION 

VILLA  RUBEIN:  AND  OTHER  STORIES 

THE  ISLAND  PHARISEES 

THE  MAN  OP  PROPERTY 

THE  COUNTRY  HOUSE 

FRATERNITY 

THE  PATRICIAN 

THE  DARK  FLOWEB 

THE  FREELANDS 

BEYOND 

FIVE  TALES 

SAINT'S  PROGRESS 

TATTERDEMALION 

IN  CHANCERY 

TO  LET 

THE  FORSYTE  SAGA 

STUDIES 

A  COMMENTARY 

A  MOTLEY 

THE  INN  OF  TRANQUILLITY 

THE  LITTLE  MAN 

A  SHEAF 

ANOTHER  SHEAF 

ADDRESSES  IN  AMERICA.  1910 

POEMS 
MOODS,  SONGS  AND  DOGGERELS 

MEMORIES  (ILLUSTRATED) 
AWAKENING  (ILLUSTRATED) 

PLAYS 

FIBST  SERIES:     THE  SILVER  Box 

JOT 

STRIFE 
SECOND  SERIES:  THE  ELDEST  Son 

THE  LITTLE  DREAM 

JUSTICE 
THIRD  SERIES:    THE  FUGITIVE 

THE  PIGEOH 

THE  MOB 
FOURTH  SERIES:  A  BIT  o'  LOVB 

FOUNDATIONS 

THE  SKIN  GAME 
FIFTH  SERIES:      A  FAMILY  MAH 

LOYALTIES 

WiMDOwa 
SIX  SHORT  PLAYS 


THE  SKIN  GAME 


THE  SKIN  GAME 

(A   TRAGI-COMEDY) 

BY 

JOHN  GALSWORTHY 

"  Who  touches  pitch  shall  be  defiled  " 


NEW  YORK 

CHARLES  SCRIBNEB'S  SONS 
1923 


COPYRIGHT,  1920,  BY 
CHARLES  SCRIBNER'S  SONS 

Printed  in  the  United  States  of  America 


\ 


CHARACTERS 

HILLCRIST A  Country  Gentleman 

AMY His  Wife 

JILL His  Daughter 

DAWKER His  Agent 

HORNBLOWEB        .         .         .         .A  man  newly-rich 

CHARLES His  Elder  Son 

CHLOE Wife  to  Charles 

ROLF His  Younger  Son 

FELLOWS Hillcrist's  Butler 

ANNA   ......  Chloe's  Maid 

THE  JACKMANS      ....  Man  and  Wife 

AN  AUCTIONEER 

A  SOLICITOR 

Two  STRANGERS 

ACT  I.  HILLCHIST'S  Study. 

ACT  II. 

SCENE  I.  A  month  later.     An  Auction  Room. 
SCENE  II.  The  same  evening.     CHLOE'S  Boudoir. 

ACT  III. 

SCENE  I.     The  following    dag.      HILLCRIST'S    Study. 

Morning. 
SCENE  II.  The  Same.    Evening. 


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ACT   I 

HILLCRIST'S  study.  A  pleasant  room,  with  books  in  calf 
bindings,  and  signs  that  the  HILLCRISTS  have  trav- 
elled, such  as  a  large  photograph  of  the  Taj  Mahal, 
of  Table  Mountain,  and  the  Pyramids  of  Egypt. 
A  large  bureau  [stage  Right],  devoted  to  the  business 
of  a  country  estate.  Two  foxes'  masks.  Flowers  in 
bowls.  Deep  armchairs.  A  large  French  window 
open  [at  Back],  with  a  lovely  view  of  a  slight  rise  of 
fields  and  trees  in  August  sunlight.  A  fine  stone 
fireplace  [stage  Left}.  A  door  [Left].  A  door  opposite 
[Right].  General  colour  effect — stone,  and  cigar-leaf 
brown,  with  spots  of  bright  colour. 

[HILLCBIST  sits  in  a  swivel  chair  at  the  bureau,  busy 
with  papers.  He  has  gout,  and  his  left  foot  is 
encased  accordingly.  He  is  a  thin,  dried-up  man 
of  about  fifty-five,  with  a  rather  refined,  rather  kindly, 
and  rather  cranky  countenance.  Close  to  him  stands 
his  very  upstanding  nineteen-year-old  daughter  JILL, 
with  clubbed  hair  round  a  pretty,  manly  face.} 

JILL.  You  know,  Dodo,  it's  all  pretty  good  rot  in 
these  days. 

HILLCRIST.  Cads  are  cads,  Jill,  even  in  these  days. 
JILL.  What  is  a  cad  ? 

Copyright,  1080,  by  Charki  Scritmer't  Soot 
1 


2  THE  SKIN  GAME  ACT  i 

HILLCRIST.  A  self-assertive  fellow,  without  a  sense 
of  other  people. 

JILL.  Well,  Old  Hornblower  I'll  give  you. 

HILLCRIST.  I  wouldn't  take  him. 

JILL.  Well,  you've  got  him.  Now,  Charlie — Chearlie 
— I  say — the  importance  of  not  being  Charlie 

HILLCRIST.  Good  heavens !  do  you  know  their  Chris- 
tian names  ? 

JILL.  My  dear  father,  they've  been  here  seven  years. 

HILLCRIST.  In  old  days  we  only  knew  their  Christian 
names  from  their  tombstones. 

JILL.  Charlie  Hornblower  isn't  really  hah*  a  bad 
sport. 

HILLCRIST.  About  a  quarter  of  a  bad  sport — I've 
always  thought  out  hunting. 

JILL.  [Pulling  his  hair}  Now,  his  wife — Chloe 

HILLCRIST.  [Whimsical]  Gad !  your  mother'd  have  a 
fit  if  she  knew  you  called  her  Chloe. 

JELL.  It's  a  ripping  name. 

HILLCRIST.  Chloe!    H'm!    I  had  a  spaniel  once 

JILL.  Dodo,  you're  narrow.  Buck  up,  old  darling, 
it  won't  do.  Chloe  has  seen  life,  I'm  pretty  sure;  that's 
attractive,  anyway.  No,  mother's  not  in  the  room; 
don't  turn  your  uneasy  eyes. 

HILLCRIST.  Really,  my  dear,  you  are  getting 

JILL.  The  limit.    Now,  Rolf 

HILLCRIST.  What's  Rolf?    Another  dog? 

JILL.  Rolf  Hornblower's  a  topper;  he  really  is  a  nice 
boy. 


ACT  i  THE  SKIN  GAME  3 

HILLCRIST.  [With  a  sharp  look]  Oh!  He's  a  nice 
boy? 

JILL.  Yes,  darling.  You  know  what  a  nice  boy  is, 
don't  you  ? 

HILLCRIST.  Not  in  these  days. 

JILL.  Well,  I'll  tell  you.  In  the  first  place,  he's  not 
amorous 

HILLCRIST.  What !    Well,  that's  some  comfort. 

JILL.  Just  a  jolly  good  companion. 

HILLCRIST.  To  whom? 

JILL.  Well,  to  anyone — me. 

HILLCRIST.  Where? 

JILL.  Anywhere.  You  don't  suppose  I  confine  my- 
self to  the  home  paddocks,  do  you?  I'm  naturally 
rangey,  Father. 

HILLCRIST.  [Ironically]  You  don't  say  so! 

JILL.  In  the  second  place,  he  doesn't  like  discipline. 

HILLCRIST.  Jupiter !    He  does  seem  attractive. 

JILL.  In  the  third  place,  he  bars  his  father. 

HILLCRIST.  Is  that  essential  to  nice  girls  too  ? 

JILL.  [With  a  twirl  of  his  hair]  Fish  not !  Fourthly, 
he's  got  ideas. 

HILLCRIST.  I  knew  it ! 

JILL.  For  instance,  he  thinks — as  I  do 

HILLCRIST.  Ah !    Good  ideas. 

JILL.  [Pulling  gently]  Careful !  He  thinks  old  people 
run  the  show  too  much.  He  says  they  oughtn't  to, 
because  they're  so  damtouchy.  Are  you  damtouchy, 
darling? 


4  THE  SKIN  GAME  ACT  i 

HILLCRIST.  Well,   I'm !    I   don't   know   about 

touchy. 

JILL.  He  says  there'll  be  no  world  fit  to  live  in  till 
we  get  rid  of  the  old.  We  must  make  them  climb  a 
tall  tree,  and  shake  them  off  it. 

HILLCRIST.  [Drily]  Oh !  he  says  that ! 

JILL.  Otherwise,  with  the  way  they  stand  on  each 
other's  rights,  they'll  spoil  the  garden  for  the  young. 

HILLCRIST.  Does  his  father  agree? 

JILL.  Oh !  Rolf  doesn't  talk  to  him,  his  mouth's  too 
large.  Have  you  ever  seen  it,  Dodo? 

HILLCRIST.  Of  course. 

JILL.  It's  considerable,  isn't  it?  Now  yours  is — 
reticent,  darling.  [Rumpling  his  hair.} 

HILLCRIST.  It  won't  be  in  a  minute.  Do  you  realise 
that  I've  got  gout  ? 

JILL.  Poor  ducky!  How  long  have  we  been  here. 
Dodo? 

HILLCRIST.  Since  Elizabeth,  anyway. 

JILL.  [Looking  at  his  foot]  It  has  its  drawbacks. 
D'you  think  Hornblower  had  a  father?  I  believe  he 
was  spontaneous.  But,  Dodo,  why  all  this — this  atti- 
tude to  the  Hornblowers? 

She  purses  her  lips  and  makes  a  gesture  as  of 
pushing  persons  away. 

HILLCRIST.  Because  they're  pushing. 

JILL.  That's  only  because  we  are,  as  mother  would 
say,  and  they're  not — yet.  But  why  not  let  them  be  ? 

HILLCRIST.  You  can't. 

JILL.  Why? 


ACTI  THE  SKIN  GAME  5 

HILLCHIST.  It  takes  generations  to  learn  to  live  and 
let  live,  Jill.  People  like  that  take  an  ell  when  you 
give  them  an  inch. 

JILL.  But  if  you  gave  them  the  ell,  they  wouldn't 
want  the  inch.  Why  should  it  all  be  such  a  skin  game  ? 

HILLCRIST.  Skin  game?  Where  do  you  get  your 
lingo? 

JILL.  Keep  to  the  point,  Dodo. 

HILLCRIST.  Well,  Jill,  all  life's  a  struggle  between 
people  at  different  stages  of  development,  in  different 
positions,  with  different  amounts  of  social  influence 
and  property.  And  the  only  thing  is  to  have  rules  of 
the  game  and  keep  them.  New  people  like  the  Horn- 
blowers  haven't  learnt  those  rules;  their  only  rule  is 
to  get  all  they  can. 

JILL.  Darling,  don't  prose.  They're  not  half  as  bad 
as  you  think. 

HILLCRIST.  Well,  when  I  sold  Hornblower  Long- 
meadow  and  the  cottages,  I  certainly  found  him  all 
right.  All  the  same,  he's  got  the  cloven  hoof.  [W 'arm- 
ing up]  His  influence  in  Deepwater  is  thoroughly  bad; 
those  potteries  of  his  are  demoralising — the  whole 
atmosphere  of  the  place  is  changing.  It  was  a  thou- 
sand pities  he  ever  came  here  and  discovered  that 
clay.  He's  brought  in  the  modern  cutthroat  spirit. 

JILL.  Cut  our  throat  spirit,  you  mean.  What's  your 
definition  of  a  gentleman,  Dodo  ? 

HILLCRIST.  [Uneasily]  Can't  describe — only  feel  it. 

JILL.  Oh!  Try! 

HILLCRIST.  Well — er — I  suppose  you  might  say — a 


6  THE  SKIN  GAME  ACT  i 

man  who  keeps  his  form  and  doesn't  let  life  scupper 
him  out  of  his  standards. 

JILL.  But  suppose  his  standards  are  low  ? 

HILLCRIST.  [With  some  earnestness]  I  assume,  of 
course,  that  he's  honest  and  tolerant,  gentle  to  the 
weak,  and  not  self-seeking. 

JILL.  Ah!  self-seeking ?    But  aren't  we  all,  Dodo? 

7  am. 

HILLCRIST.  [With  a  smile]  You ! 

JILL.  [Scornfully]  Oh !  yes — too  young  to  know. 

HILLCRIST.  Nobody  knows  till  they're  under  pretty 
heavy  fire,  Jill. 

JILL.  Except,  of  course,  mother. 

HILLCRIST.  How  do  you  mean — mother? 

JILL.  Mother  reminds  me  of  England  according  to 
herself — always  right  whatever  she  does. 

HILLCRIST.  Ye-es.  Your  mother  is  perhaps — the 
perfect  woman 

JILL.  That's  what  I  was  saying.  Now,  no  one  could 
call  you  perfect,  Dodo.  Besides,  you've  got  gout. 

HILLCRIST.  Yes;  and  I  want  Fellows.  Ring  that 
bell. 

JILL.  [Crossing  to  the  bell]  Shall  I  tell  you  my  defini- 
tion of  a  gentleman?  A  man  who  gives  the  Horn- 
blower  his  due.  [She  rings  the  bell]  And  I  think  mother 
ought  to  call  on  them.  Rolf  says  old  Hornblower 
resents  it  fearfully  that  she's  never  made  a  sign  to 
Chloe  the  three  years  she's  been  here. 

HILLCRIST.  I  don't  interfere  with  your  mother  in 


ACT  i  THE  SKIN  GAME  7 

such  matters.    She  may  go  and  call  on  the  devil  him- 
self if  she  likes. 

JILL.  I  know  you're  ever  so  much  better  than  she  is. 

HILLCRIST.  That's  respectful. 

JILL.  You  do  keep  your  prejudices  out  of  your  phiz. 
But  mother  literally  looks  down  her  nose.  And  she 
never  forgives  an  "h."  They'd  get  the  "hell"  from 
her  if  they  took  the  "hinch." 

HILLCRIST.  Jill — your  language ! 

JILL.  Don't  slime  out  of  it,  Dodo.  I  say,  mother 
ought  to  call  on  the  Hornblowers.  [No  answer. 

Well? 

HILLCRIST.  My  dear,  I  always  let  people  have  the 
last  word.  It  makes  them — feel  funny.  Ugh!  My 
foot !  [Enter  FELLOWS,  Left . 

Fellows,  send  into  the  village  and  get  another  bottle 
of  this  stuff. 

JILL.  I'll  go,  darling. 

[She  blows  him  a  kiss,  and  goes  out  at  the  window. 

HILLCRIST.  And  tell  cook  I've  got  to  go  on  slops. 
This  foot's  worse. 

FELLOWS.  [Sympathetic]  Indeed,  sir. 

HILLCRIST.  My  third  go  this  year,  Fellows. 

FELLOWS.  Very  annoying,  sir. 

HILLCRIST.  Ye — es.    Ever  had  it? 

FELLOWS.  I  fancy  I  have  had  a  twinge,  sir. 

HILLCRIST.  [Brightening]  Have  you?    Where? 

FELLOWS.  In  my  cork  wrist,  sir. 

HILLCRIST.  Your  what  ? 

FELLOWS.  The  wrist  I  draw  corks  with. 


8  THE  SKIN  GAME  ACT  i 

HILLCRIST.  [With  a  cackle]  You'd  have  had  more 
than  a  twinge  if  you'd  lived  with  my  father.     H'm ! 

FELLOWS.  Excuse  me,  sir — Vichy  water  corks,   in 
my  experience,  are  worse  than  any  wine. 

HILLCRIST.  [Ironically]  Ah !  The  country's  not  what 
it  was,  is  it,  Fellows? 
FELLOWS.  Getting  very  new,  sir. 
HILLCRIST.  [Feelingly]  You're   right.     Has   Dawker 
come? 

FELLOWS.  Not  yet,  sir.     The  Jackmans  would  like 
to  see  you,  sir. 
HILLCRIST.  What  about  ? 
FELLOWS.  I  don't  know,  sir. 
HILLCRIST.  Well,  show  them  in. 
FELLOWS.  [Going]  Yes,  sir. 

HILLCRIST  turns  his  swivel  chair  round.     The 
JACKMANS  come  in.    He,  a  big  fellow  about 
fifty,  in  a  labourer's  dress,  with  eyes  which 
have  more  in  them  than  his  tongue  can  ex- 
press ;  she,  a  little  woman  with  a  worn  face, 
a  bright,  quick  glance,  and  a  tongue  to  match. 
HILLCRIST.  Good  morning,  Mrs.  Jackman !     Morn- 
ing, Jackman !    Haven't  seen  you  for  a  long  time. 
What  can  I  do? 

[He  draws  in  foot,  and  breath,  with  a  sharp  hiss. 
JACKMAN.  [In  a  down-hearted  voice]  We've  had  notice 
to  quit,  sir. 

HILLCRIST.  [With  emphasis]  What ! 
JACKMAN.  Got  to  be  out  this  week. 
MBS.  J.  Yes,  sir,  indeed. 


ACT  i  THE  SKIN  GAME  9 

HILLCRIST.  Well,  but  when  I  sold  Longmeadow  and 
the  cottages,  it  was  on  the  express  understanding  that 
there  was  to  be  no  disturbance  of  tenancies. 

MRS.  J.  Yes,  sir;  but  we've  all  got  to  go.  Mrs. 
'Arvey,  and  the  Drews,  an'  us,  and  there  isn't  another 
cottage  to  be  had  anywhere  in  Deepwater. 

HILLCRIST.  I  know;  I  want  one  for  my  cowman. 
This  won't  do  at  all.  Where  do  you  get  it  from  ? 

JACKMAN.  Mr.  'Ornblower,  'imself,  sir.  Just  an 
hour  ago.  He  come  round  and  said:  "I'm  sorry;  I 
want  the  cottages,  and  you've  got  to  clear." 

MRS.  J.  [Bitterly]  He's  no  gentleman,  sir;  he  put  it 
so  brisk.  We  been  there  thirty  years,  and  now  we 
don't  know  what  to  do.  So  I  hope  you'll  excuse  us 
coming  round,  sir. 

HILLCRIST.  I  should  think  so,  indeed!  H'm!  [He 
rises  and  limps  across  to  the  fireplace  on  his  stick.  To 
himself]  The  cloven  hoof.  By  George !  this  is  a  breach 
of  faith.  I'll  write  to  him,  Jackman.  Confound  it! 
I'd  certainly  never  have  sold  if  I'd  known  he  was  going 
to  do  this. 

MRS.  J.  No,  sir,  I'm  sure,  sir.  They  do  say  it's  to 
do  with  the  potteries.  He  wants  the  cottages  for  his 
workmen. 

HILLCRIST.  [Sharply]  That's  all  very  well,  but  he 
shouldn't  have  led  me  to  suppose  that  he  would  make 
no  change. 

JACKMAN.  [Heavily]  They  talk  about  his  havin' 
bought  the  Gentry  to  put  up  more  chimneys  there, 
and  that's  why  he  wants  the  cottages. 


10  THE  SKIN  GAME  ACT  i 

HILLCRIBT.  The  Gentry!    Impossible! 

MRS.  J.  Yes,  sir;  it's  such  a  pretty  spot — looks  beau- 
tiful from  here.  [She  looks  out  through  the  vrindow] 
Loveliest  spot  in  all  Deepwater,  I  always  say.  And 
your  father  owned  it,  and  his  father  before  'im.  It's 
a  pity  they  ever  sold  it,  sir,  beggin'  your  pardon. 

HILLCRIST.  The  Gentry !  [He  rings  the  bell. 

MRS.  J.  [Who  has  brightened  up]  I'm  glad  you're 
goin'  to  stop  it,  sir.  It  does  put  us  about.  We  don't 
know  where  to  go.  I  said  to  Mr.  Hornblower,  I  said, 
"I'm  sure  Mr.  Hillcrist  would  never  'ave  turned  us 

out."    An'  'e  said:  "Mr.  Hillcrist  be  "  beggin' 

your  pardon,  sir.  "Make  no  mistake,"  'e  said,  "you 
must  go,  missis."  He  don't  even  know  our  name;  an' 
to  come  it  like  this  over  us !  He's  a  dreadful  new  man, 
I  think,  with  his  overridin'  notions.  And  sich  a  heavy- 
footed  man,  to  look  at.  [With  a  sort  of  indulgent  con- 
tempt] But  he's  from  the  North,  they  say. 

[FELLOWS  has  entered,  Left. 

HILLCRIST.  Ask  Mrs.  Hillcrist  if  she'll  come. 

FELLOWS.  Very  good,  sir. 

HILLCRIST.  Is  Dawker  here  ? 

FELLOWS.  Not  yet,  sir. 

HILLCRIST.  I  want  to  see  him  at  once. 

[FELLOWS  retires. 

JACKMAN.  Mr.  Hornblower  said  he  was  comin'  on 
to  see  you,  sir.  So  we  thought  we'd  step  along  first. 

HniCRisT.  Quite  right,  Jackman. 

MRS.  J.  I  said  to  Jackman:  "Mr.  Hillcrist'll  stand 
up  for  us,  I  know.  He's  a  gentleman,"  I  said.  "This 


ACT  i  THE  SKIN  GAME  11 

man,"  I  said,  "don't  care  for  the  neighbourhood,  or 
the  people;  he  don't  care  for  anything  so  long  as  he 
makes  his  money,  and  has  his  importance.  You  can't 
expect  it,  I  suppose,"  I  said;  [Bitterly]  "havin'  got  rich 
so  sudden."  The  gentry  don't  do  things  like  that. 

HILLCRIST.  [Abstracted]  Quite,  Mrs.  Jackman,  quite ! 
[To  himself]  The  Gentry !  No ! 

MRS.  HILLCRIST  enters.  A  well-dressed  woman, 
with  a  firm,  clear-cut  face. 

Oh !  Amy !  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Jackman  turned  out  of  their 
cottage,  and  Mrs.  Harvey,  and  the  Drews.  When  I 
sold  to  Hornblower,  I  stipulated  that  they  shouldn't  be. 

MRS.  J.  Our  week's  up  on  Saturday,  ma'am,  and 
I'm  sure  I  don't  know  where  we  shall  turn,  because  of 
course  Jackman  must  be  near  his  work,  and  I  shall  lose 
me  washin'  if  we  have  to  go  far. 

HILLCRIST.  [With  decision]  You  leave  it  to  me,  Mrs. 
Jackman.  Good  morning  !  Morning,  Jackman  !  Sorry 
I  can't  move  with  this  gout. 

MRS.  J.  [For  them  both]  I'm  sure  we're  very  sorry, 
sir.  Good  morning,  sir.  Good  morning,  ma'am;  and 
thank  you  kindly.  [They  go  out. 

HILLCRIST.  Turning  people  out  that  have  been  there 
thirty  years.  I  won't  have  it.  It's  a  breach  of  faith. 

Mrs.  H.  Do  you  suppose  this  Hornblower  will  care 
two  straws  about  that  Jack  ? 

HILLCRIST.  He  must,  when  it's  put  to  him,  if  he's 
got  any  decent  feeling. 

MRS.  H.  He  hasn't. 


12  THE  SKIN  GAME  ACT  i 

HILLCRIST.  [Suddenly]  The  Jackmans  talk  of  his 
having  bought  the  Gentry  to  put  up  more  chimneys. 

MRS.  H.  Never!  [At  the  window,  looking  out]  Im- 
possible !  It  would  ruin  the  place  utterly,  besides  cut- 
ting us  off  from  the  Duke's.  Oh,  no !  Miss  Mullins 
would  never  sell  behind  our  backs. 

HILLCRIST.  Anyway  I  must  stop  his  turning  these 
people  out. 

MRS.  H.  [With  a  little  smile,  almost  contemptuous] 
You  might  have  known  he'd  do  something  of  the  sort. 
You  will  imagine  people  are  like  yourself,  Jack.  You 
always  ought  to  make  Dawker  have  things  hi  black 
and  white. 

HILLCRIST.  I  said  quite  distinctly:  "Of  course  you 
won't  want  to  disturb  the  tenancies;  there's  a  great 
shortage  of  cottages."  Hornblower  told  me  as  dis- 
tinctly that  he  wouldn't.  What  more  do  you  want  ? 

MRS.  H.  A  man  like  that  thinks  of  nothing  but  the 
short  cut  to  his  own  way.  [Looking  out  of  the  window 
towards  the  rise]  If  he  buys  the  Gentry  and  puts  up 
chimneys,  we  simply  couldn't  stop  here. 

HILLCRIST.  My  father  would  turn  in  his  grave. 

MRS.  H.  It  would  have  been  more  useful  if  he'd  not 
dipped  the  estate,  and  sold  the  Gentry.  This  Horn- 
blower  hates  us;  he  thinks  we  turn  up  our  noses  at 
him. 

HILLCRIST.  As  we  do,  Amy. 

MRS.  H.  Who  wouldn't?  A  man  without  tradi- 
tions, who  believes  in  nothing  but  money  and  push. 


ACT  i  THE  SKIN  GAME  13 

HILLCRIST.  Suppose  he  won't  budge,  can  we  do  any- 
thing for  the  Jackmans? 

MRS.  H.  There  are  the  two  rooms  Beaver  used  to 
have,  over  the  stables.  [FELLOWS  enters. 

FELLOWS.  Mr.  Dawker,  sir. 

DAWKER  is  a  short,  square,  rather  red-faced 
terrier  of  a  man,  in  riding  clothes  and  gaiters. 

HILLCRIST.  Ah !  Dawker,  I've  got  gout  again. 

DAWKER.  Very  sorry,  sir.    How  de  do,  ma'am  ? 

HILLCRIST.  Did  you  meet  the  Jackmans  ? 

DAWKER.  Yeh. 

[He  hardly  ever  quite  finishes  a  word,  seeming 
to  snap  off  their  tails. 

HILLCRIST.  Then  you  heard? 

DAWKER.  [Nodding]  Smart  man,  Hornblower;  never 
lets  grass  grow. 

HILLCRIST.  Smart? 

DAWKER.  [Grinning]  Don't  do  to  underrate  your 
neighbours. 

MRS.  H.  A  cad — I  call  him. 

DAWKER.  That's  it,  ma'am — got  all  the  advantage. 

HILLCRIST.  Heard    anything    about    the    Gentry, 
Dawker  ? 

DAWKER.  Hornblower  wants  to  buy. 

HILLCRIST.  Miss  Mullins  would  never  sell,  would 
she? 

DAWKER.  She  wants  to. 

HILLCRIST.  The  deuce  she  does ! 

DAWKER.  He  won't  stick  at  the  price  either. 

MRS.  H.  What's  it  worth,  Dawker? 


14  THE  SKIN  GAME  ACT  i 

DAWKEB.  Depends  on  what  you  want  it  for. 

MRS.  H.  He  wants  it  for  spite;  we  want  it  for  sen- 
timent. 

DAWKER.  [Grinning]  Worth  what  you  like  to  give, 
then;  but  he's  a  rich  man. 

MRS.  H.  Intolerable! 

DAWKER.  [To  HILLCRIST]  Give  me  your  figure,  sir. 
I'll  try  the  old  lady  before  he  gets  at  her. 

HILLCRIST.  [Pondering]  I  don't  want  to  buy,  unless 
there's  nothing  else  for  it.  I  should  have  to  raise  the 
money  on  the  estate;  it  won't  stand  much  more.  I 
can't  believe  the  fellow  would  be  such  a  barbarian. 
Chimneys  within  three  hundred  yards,  right  in  front 
of  this  house !  It's  a  nightmare. 

MRS.  H.  You'd  much  better  let  Dawker  make  sure, 
Jack. 

HILLCRIST.  [Uncomfortable]  Jackman  says  Hornblow- 
er's  coming  round  to  see  me.  I  shall  put  it  to  him. 

DAWKER.  Make  him  keener  than  ever.  Better  get 
in  first. 

HILLCRIST.  Ape  his  methods ! — Ugh!  Confound  this 
gout!  [He  gets  back  to  his  chair  with  difficulty]  Look 
here,  Dawker,  I  wanted  to  see  you  about  gates 

FELLOWS.  [Entering]  Mr.  Hornblower. 

HORNBLOWER  enters — a  man  of  medium  height, 
thoroughly  broadened,  blown  out,  as  it  were, 
by  success.  He  has  thick,  coarse,  dark  hair, 
just  grizzled,  very  bushy  eyebrows,  a  wide 
mouth.  He  wears  quite  ordinary  clothes,  as 
if  that  department  were  in  charge  of  someone 


ACT  i  THE  SKIN  GAME  15 

who  knew  about  such  things.  He  has  a  small 
rose  in  his  buttonhole,  and  carries  a  Horn- 
burg  hat,  which  one  suspects  will  look  too 
small  on  his  head. 

HORNBLOWER.  Good  morning !  good  morning !  How 
are  ye,  Dawker  ?  Fine  morning !  Lovely  weather ! 

His  voice  has  a  curious  blend  in  its  tone  of 
brass  and  oil,  and  an  accent  not  quite  Scotch 
nor  quite  North  country. 
Haven't  seen  ye  for  a  long  time,  Hillcrist. 

HILLCBIST.  [Who  has  risen]  Not  since  I  sold  you 
Longmeadow  and  those  cottages,  I  believe. 

HOBNBLOWEB.  Dear  me,  now!  that's  what  I  came 
about. 

HILLCRIST.  [Subsiding  again  into  his  chair]  Forgive 
me !  Won't  you  sit  down  ? 

HOBNBLOWEB.  [Not    sitting]  Have    ye    got    gout? 
That's  unfortunate.     I  never  get  it.     I've  no  disposi- 
tion that  way.    Had  no  ancestors,  you  see.    Just  me 
own  drinkin'  to  answer  for. 
HILLCBIST.  You're  lucky. 

HOBNBLOWER.  I  wonder  if  Mrs.  Hillcrist  thinks 
that !  Am  I  lucky  to  have  no  past,  ma'am  ?  Just  the 
future  ? 

MBS.  H.  You're  sure  you  have  the  future,  Mr. 
Hornblower  ? 

HOBNBLOWER.  [With  a  laugh]  That's  your  aristo- 
cratic rapier  thrust.  You  aristocrats  are  very  hard 
people  underneath  your  manners.  Ye  love  to  lay  a 
body  out.  But  I've  got  the  future  all  right. 


1«  THE  SKIN  GAME  ACT  i 

HILLCRIST.  [Meaningly]  I've  had  the  Jackmans  here, 
Mr.  Hornblower. 

HORNBLOWER.  Who  are  they — man  with  the  little 
spitfire  wife? 

HILLCRIST.  They're  very  excellent,  good  people,  and 
they've  been  in  that  cottage  quietly  thirty  years. 

HORNBLOWER.  [Throwing  out  his  forefinger — a  favour- 
ite gesture]  Ah!  ye've  wanted  me  to  stir  ye  up  a  bit. 
Deepwater  needs  a  bit  o'  go  put  into  it.  There's  gen- 
erally some  go  where  I  am.  I  daresay  you  wish  there'd 
been  no  "come."  [He  laughs]. 

MRS.  H.  We  certainly  like  people  to  keep  their 
word,  Mr.  Hornblower. 

HILLCRIST.  Amy! 

HORNBLOWER.  Never  mind,  Hillcrist;  takes  more 
than  that  to  upset  me. 

MRS.  HILLCRIST  exchanges  a  look  with  DAW- 
KER,  who  slips  out  unobserved. 

HILLCRIST.  You  promised  me,  you  know,  not  to 
change  the  tenancies. 

HORNBLOWER.  Well,  I've  come  to  tell  ye  that  I 
have.  I  wasn't  expecting  to  have  the  need  when  I 
bought.  Thought  the  Duke  would  sell  me  a  bit  down 
there;  but  devil  a  bit  he  will;  and  now  I  must  have 
those  cottages  for  my  workmen.  I've  got  important 
works,  ye  know. 

HILLCRIST.  [Getting  heated]  The  Jackmans  have  their 
importance  too,  sir.  Their  heart's  in  that  cottage. 

HORNBLOWER.  Have  a  sense  of  proportion,  man. 
My  works  supply  thousands  of  people,  and  my  heart's 


ACT  i  THE  SKIN  GAME  17 

in  them.  What's  more,  they  make  my  fortune.  I've 
got  ambitions — I'm  a  serious  man.  Suppose  I  were 
to  consider  this  and  that,  and  every  little  potty  objec- 
tion— where  should  I  get  to  ? — nowhere ! 

HILLCRIST.  All  the  same,  this  sort  of  thing  isn't 
done,  you  know. 

HORNBLOWEB.  Not  by  you  because  ye've  got  no 
need  to  do  it.  Here  ye  are,  quite  content  on  what 
your  fathers  made  for  ye.  Ye've  no  ambitions;  and  ye 
want  other  people  to  have  none.  How  d'ye  think 
your  fathers  got  your  land  ? 

HILLCRIST.  [Who  has  risen}  Not  by  breaking  their 
word. 

HORNBLOWER.  [Throwing  out  his  finger}  Don't  ye 
believe  it.  They  got  it  by  breaking  their  word  and 
turnin'  out  Jackmans,  if  that's  their  name,  all  over  the 
place. 

MRS.  H.  That's  an  insult,  Mr.  Hornblower. 

HORNBLOWER.  No;  it's  a  repartee.  If  ye  think  so 
much  of  these  Jackmans,  build  them  a  cottage  your- 
selves; ye've  got  the  space. 

HILLCRIST.  That's  beside  the  point.  You  promised 
me,  and  I  sold  on  that  understanding. 

HORNBLOWER.  And  I  bought  on  the  understandin' 
that  I'd  get  some  more  land  from  the  Duke. 

HILLCRIST.  That's  nothing  to  do  with  me. 

HORNBLOWER.  Ye'll  find  it  has;  because  I'm  going 
to  have  those  cottages. 

HILLCRIST.  Well,  I  call  it  simply — 

[He  checks  himself. 


18  THE  SKIN  GAME  ACT  i 

HORNBLOWER.  Look  here,  Hillcrist,  ye've  not  had 
occasion  to  understand  men  like  me.  I've  got  the 
guts,  and  I've  got  the  money,  and  I  don't  sit  still  on 
it.  I'm  going  ahead  because  I  believe  in  meself.  I've 
no  use  for  sentiment  and  that  sort  of  thing.  Forty  of 
your  -Turkmans  aren't  worth  me  little  finger. 

HILLCRIST.  [Angry]  Of  all  the  blatant  things  I  ever 
heard  said ! 

HORNBLOWER.  Well,  as  we're  speaking  plainly,  I've 
been  thinkin'.  Ye  want  the  village  run  your  old- 
fashioned  way,  and  I  want  it  run  mine.  I  fancy  there's 
not  room  for  the  two  of  us  here. 

MRS.  H.  When  are  you  going? 

HORNBLOWER.  Never  fear,  I'm  not  going. 

HILLCRIST.  Look  here,  Mr.  Hornblower — this  in- 
fernal gout  makes  me  irritable — puts  me  at  a  disad- 
vantage. But  I  should  be  glad  if  you'd  kindly  explain 
yourself. 

HORNBLOWER.  [With  a  great  smile]  Ca'  canny;  I'm 
fra'  the  North. 

HILLCRIST.  I'm  told  you  wish  to  buy  the  Gentry 
and  put  more  of  your  chimneys  up  there,  regardless  of 
the  fact  [He  points  through  the  window]  that  it  would 
utterly  ruin  the  house  we've  had  for  generations,  and 
all  our  pleasure  here. 

HORNBLOWER.  How  the  man  talks!  Why!  Ye'd 
think  he  owned  the  sky,  because  his  fathers  built  him 
a  house  with  a  pretty  view,  where  he's  nothing  to  do 
but  live.  It's  sheer  want  of  something  to  do  that 
gives  ye  your  fine  sentiments,  Hillcrist. 


ACT  i  THE  SKIN  GAME  19 

HILLCRIST.  Have  the  goodness  not  to  charge  me 
with  idleness.  Dawker — where  is  he? — [He  shows  the 
bureau]  When  you  do  the  drudgery  of  your  works  as 

thoroughly  as  I  do  that  of  my  estate Is  it  true 

about  the  Gentry? 

HORNBLOWER.  Gospel  true.  If  ye  want  to  know, 
my  son  Chearlie  is  buyin'  it  this  very  minute. 

MRS.  H.  [Turning  with  a  start]  What  do  you  say? 

HORNBLOWER.  Ay,  he's  with  the  old  lady;  she  wants 
to  sell,  an'  she'll  get  her  price,  whatever  it  is. 

HILLCRIST.  [With  deep  anger]  If  that  isn't  a  skin 
game,  Mr.  Hornblower,  I  don't  know  what  is. 

HORNBLOWER.  Ah !  Ye've  got  a  very  nice  expres- 
sion there.  "Skin  game  !"  Well,  bad  words  break  no 
bones,  an'  they're  wonderful  for  hardenin'  the  heart. 
If  it  wasn't  for  a  lady's  presence,  I  could  give  ye  a 
specimen  or  two. 

Mrs.  H.  Oh !  Mr.  Hornblower,  that  need  not  stop 
you,  I'm  sure. 

HORNBLOWER.  Well,  and  I  don't  know  that  it  need. 
Ye're  an  obstruction — the  like  of  you — ye're  in  my 
path.  And  anyone  in  my  path  doesn't  stay  there 
long;  or,  if  he  does,  he  stays  there  on  my  terms.  And 
my  terms  are  chimneys  hi  the  Gentry  where  I  need 
'em.  It'll  do  ye  a  power  of  good,  too,  to  know  that 
ye're  not  almighty. 

HILLCRIST.  And  that's  being  neighbourly ! 

HORNBLOWER.  And  how  have  ye  tried  bein'  neigh- 
bourly to  me?  If  I  haven't  a  wife,  I've  got  a  daugh- 
ter-in-law. Have  ye  called  on  her,  ma'am  ?  I'm  new, 


20  THE  SKIN  GAME  ACT  i 

and  ye're  an  old  family.  Ye  don't  like  me,  ye  think 
I'm  a  pushin*  man.  I  go  to  chapel,  an*  ye  don't  like 
that.  I  make  things  and  I  sell  them,  and  ye  don't 
like  that.  I  buy  land,  and  ye  don't  like  that.  It 
threatens  the  view  from  your  windies.  Well,  I  don't 
like  you,  and  I'm  not  goin'  to  put  up  with  your  atti- 
tude. Ye've  had  things  your  own  way  too  long,  and 
now  ye're  not  going  to  have  them  any  longer. 

HILLCRIST.  Will  you  hold  to  your  word  over  those 
cottages  ? 

HORNBLOWER.  I'm  goin'  to  have  the  cottages.  I 
need  them,  and  more  besides,  now  I'm  to  put  up  me 
new  works. 

HILLCRIST.  That's  a  declaration  of  war. 

HORNBLOWER.  Ye  never  said  a  truer  word.  It's 
one  or  the  other  of  us,  and  I  rather  think  it's  goin'  to 
be  me.  I'm  the  risin'  and  you're  the  settin'  sun,  as 
the  poet  says. 

HILLCRIST.  [Touching  the  bell]  We  shall  see  if  you 
can  ride  rough-shod  like  this.  We  used  to  have  decent 
ways  of  going  about  things  here.  You  want  to  change 
all  that.  Well,  we  shall  do  our  damnedest  to  stop 
you.  [To  FELLOWS  at  the  door]  Are  the  Jackmans  still 
in  the  house  ?  Ask  them  to  be  good  enough  to  come  in. 

HORNBLOWER.  [With  the  first  sign  of  uneasiness]  I've 
seen  these  people.  I've  nothing  more  to  say  to  them. 
I  told  'em  I'd  give  'em  five  pounds  to  cover  their 
moving. 

HILLCRIST.  It  doesn't  occur  to  you  that  people, 
however  humble,  like  to  have  some  say  in  their  own 
fate? 


ACT  i  THE  SKIN  GAME  21 

HORNBLOWER.  I  never  had  any  say  in  mine  till  I 
had  the  brass,  and  nobody  ever  will.  It's  all  hypoc- 
risy. You  county  folk  are  fair  awful  hypocrites.  Ye 
talk  about  good  form  and  all  that  sort  o'  thing.  It's 
just  the  comfortable  doctrine  of  the  man  in  the  saddle; 
sentimental  varnish.  Ye 're  every  bit  as  hard  as  I  am, 
underneath. 

MRS.  H.  [Who  had  been  standing  very  still  all  this 
time]  You  flatter  us. 

HORNBLOWER.  Not  at  all.  God  helps  those  who 
'elp  themselves — that's  at  the  bottom  of  all  religion. 
I'm  goin'  to  help  meself,  and  God's  going  to  help  me. 

MRS.  H.  I  admire  your  knowledge. 

HILLCRIST.  We  are  in  the  right,  and  God  helps 

HORNBLOWER.  Don't  ye  believe  it;  ye  'aven't  got 
the  energy. 

MRS.  H.  Nor  perhaps  the  conceit. 

HORNBLOWER.  [Throwing  out  his  forefinger}  No,  no; 
'tisn't  conceit  to  believe  in  yourself  when  ye've  got 
reason  to.  [The  JACKMANS  have  entered. 

HILLCRIST.  I'm  very  sorry,  Mrs.  Jackman,  but  I 
just  wanted  you  to  realise  that  I've  done  my  best  with 
this  gentleman. 

MRS.  J.  [Doubtfully}  Yes,  sir.  I  thought  if  you 
spoke  for  us,  he'd  feel  different-like. 

HORNBLOWER.  One  cottage  is  the  same  as  another, 
missis.  I  made  ye  a  fair  offer  of  five  pounds  for  the 
moving. 

JACKMAN.  [Slowly]  We  wouldn't  take  fifty  to  go  out 
of  that  'ouse.  We  brought  up  three  children  there, 
an'  buried  two  from  it. 


22  THE  SKIN  GAME  ACT  i 

MBS.  J.  [To  MRS.  HILLCRIST]  We're  attached  to  it 
like,  ma'am. 

HILLCRIST.  [To  HORNBLOWER]  How  would  you  like 
being  turned  out  of  a  place  you  were  fond  of  ? 

HORNBLOWER.  Not  a  bit.  But  little  considerations 
have  to  give  way  to  big  ones.  Now,  missis,  I'll  make 
it  ten  pounds,  and  I'll  send  a  wagon  to  shift  your 
things.  If  that  isn't  fair — !  Ye'd  better  accept,  I 
shan't  keep  it  open. 

The  JACKMANS  look  at  each  other  ;  their  faces 
show  deep  anger — and  the  question  they  ask 
each  other  is  which  will  speak. 

MRS.  J.  We  won't  take  it;  eh,  George  ? 

JACKMAN.  Not  a  farden.  We  come  there  when  we 
was  married. 

HORNBLOWER.  [Throwing  out  his  finger]  Ye're  very 
improvident  folk. 

HILLCRIST.  Don't  lecture  them,  Mr.  Hornblower; 
they  come  out  of  this  miles  above  you. 

HORNBLOWER.  [Angry]  Well,  I  was  going  to  give  ye 
another  week,  but  ye'll  go  out  next  Saturday;  and  take 
care  ye're  not  late,  or  your  things'll  be  put  out — hi 
the  ram. 

MRS.  H.  [To  MRS.  JACKMAN]  We'll  send  down  for 
your  things,  and  you  can  come  to  us  for  the  time  being. 
MRS.  JACKMAN  drops  a  curtsey  ;  her  eyes  stab 
HORNBLOWER. 

JACKMAN.  [Heavily,  clenching  his  fists]  You're  no 
gentleman !  Don't  put  temptation  in  my  way,  that's 
all. 


ACT  i  THE  SKIN  GAME  23 

HILLCRIST.  [In  a  low  voice]  Jackman ! 

HORNB LOWER.  [Triumphantly]  Ye  hear  that?  That's 
your  protegee !  Keep  out  o'  my  way,  me  man,  or  I'll 
put  the  police  on  to  ye  for  utterin'  threats. 

HILLCRIST.  You'd  better  go  now,  Jackman. 

[The  JACKMANS  move  to  the  door. 

MRS.  J.  [Turning]  Maybe  you'll  repent  it  some  day, 
sir.  [They  go  out,  MRS.  HILLCRIST  following. 

HORNBLOWER.  We — ell,  I'm  sorry  they're  such  un- 
reasonable folk.  I  never  met  people  with  less  notion 
of  which  side  their  bread  was  buttered. 

HILLCRIST.  And  I  never  met  anyone  so  pachyder- 
matous. 

HORNBLOWER.  What's  that,  in  Heaven's  name  ?  Ye 
needn'  wrap  it  up  in  long  words  now  your  good  lady's 
gone. 

HILLCRIST.  [With  dignity]  I'm  not  going  in  for  a 
slanging  match.  I  resent  your  conduct  much  too 
deeply. 

HORNBLOWER.  Look  here,  Hillcrist,  I  don't  object 
to  you  personally;  ye  seem  to  me  a  poor  creature  that's 
bound  to  get  left  with  your  gout  and  your  dignity; 
but  of  course  ye  can  make  yourself  very  disagreeable 
before  ye're  done.  Now  I  want  to  be  the  movin' 
spirit  here.  I'm  full  of  plans.  I'm  goin'  to  stand  for 
Parliament;  I'm  goin'  to  make  this  a  prosperous  place. 
I'm  a  good-natured  man  if  you'll  treat  me  as  such. 
Now,  you  take  me  on  as  a  neighbour  and  all  that,  and 
I'll  manage  without  chimneys  on  the  Gentry.  Is  it  a 
bargain?  [He  holds  out  his  hand. 


24  THE  SKIN  GAME  ACT  i 

HILLCRIST.  [Ignoring  it]  I  thought  you  said  you 
didn't  keep  your  word  when  it  suited  you  to  break  it  ? 

HORNBLOWEE.  Now,  don't  get  on  the  high  horse. 
You  and  me  could  be  very  good  friends;  but  I  can  be 
a  very  nasty  enemy.  The  chimneys  will  not  look  nice 
from  that  windie,  ye  know. 

HILLCRIST.  [Deeply  angry]  Mr.  Hornblower,  if  you 
think  I'll  take  your  hand  after  this  Jackman  business, 
you're  greatly  mistaken.  You  are  proposing  that  I 
shall  stand  in  with  you  while  you  tyrannise  over  the 
neighbourhood.  Please  realise  that  unless  you  leave 
those  tenancies  undisturbed  as  you  said  you  would,  we 
don't  know  each  other. 

HORNBLOWER.  Well,  that  won't  trouble  me  much. 
Now,  ye'd  better  think  it  over;  ye've  got  gout  and 
that  makes  ye  hasty.  I  tell  ye  again:  I'm  not  the  man 
to  make  an  enemy  of.  Unless  ye're  friendly,  sure  as 
I  stand  here  I'll  ruin  the  look  of  your  place. 

[The  toot  of  a  car  is  heard. 

There's  my  car.  I  sent  Chearlie  and  his  wife  in  it  to 
buy  the  Gentry.  And  make  no  mistake — he's  got  it 
in  his  pocket.  It's  your  last  chance,  Hillcrist.  I'm 
not  averse  to  you  as  a  man;  I  think  ye're  the  best  of 
the  fossils  round  here;  at  least,  I  think  ye  can  do  me 
the  most  harm  socially.  Come  now ! 

[He  holds  out  his  hand  again. 

HILLCRIST.  Not  if  you'd  bought  the  Gentry  ten 
tunes  over.  Your  ways  are  not  mine,  and  I'll  have 
nothing  to  do  with  you. 

HORNBLOWER.  [Very  angry]  Really!  Is  that  so? 
Very  well.  Now  ye're  goin'  to  learn  something,  an* 


ACT  i  THE  SKIN  GAME  25 

it's  time  ye  did.  D'ye  realise  that  I'm  very  nearly 
round  ye?  [He  draws  a  circle  slowly  in  the  air]  I'm  at 
Uphill,  the  works  are  here,  here's  Longmeadow,  here's 
the  Gentry  that  I've  just  bought,  there's  only  the 
Common  left  to  give  ye  touch  with  the  world.  Now 
between  you  and  the  Common  there's  the  high  road. 
I  come  out  on  the  high  road  here  to  your  north,  and  I 
shall  come  out  on  it  there  to  your  west.  When  I've 
got  me  new  works  up  on  the  Gentry,  I  shall  be  makin' 
a  trolley  track  between  the  works  up  to  the  road  at 
both  ends,  so  my  goods  will  be  running  right  round  ye. 
How'll  ye  like  that  for  a  country  place  ? 

For  answer  HILLCRIST,  who  is  angry  beyond 
the  power  of  speech,  walks,  forgetting  to  use 
his  stick,  up  to  the  French  window.  While 
he  stands  there,  with  his  back  to  HORN- 
BLOWER,  the  door  L.  is  flung  open,  and  JILL 
enters,  preceding  CHARLES,  his  wife  CHLOE, 
and  ROLF.  CHARLES  is  a  goodish-looking, 
moustached  young  man  of  about  twenty-eight, 
with  a  white  rim  to  the  collar  of  his  waistcoat, 
and  spats.  He  has  his  hand  behind  CHLOE'S 
back,  as  if  to  prevent  her  turning  tail.  She 
is  rather  a  handsome  young  woman,  with 
dark  eyes,  full  red  lips,  and  a  suspicion  of 
powder,  a  little  under-dressed  for  the  country. 
ROLF,  who  brings  up  the  rear,  is  about  twenty, 
with  an  open  face  and  stiff ish  butter-coloured 
hair.  JILL  runs  over  to  her  father  at  the 
window.  She  has  a  bottle. 
JILL.  [Sotto  voce]  Look,  Dodo,  I've  brought  the  lot ! 


26  THE   SKIN  GAME  ACT  i 

Isn't  it  a  treat,  dear  Papa?    And  here's  the  stuff. 
Hallo! 

The  exclamation  is  induced  by  the  apprehension 
that  there  has  been  a  row.     HILLCRIST  gives 
a  stiff  little  bow,  remaining  where  he  is  in  the 
window.     JILL  stays  close  to  him,  staring 
from  one  to  the  other,  then  blocks  him  off  and 
engages  him  in  conversation.     CHARLES  has 
gone  up  to  his  father,   who   has  remained 
maliciously  still,  where  he  delivered  his  last 
speech.  CHLOE  and  ROLF  stand  awkwardly 
waiting  between  the  fireplace  and  the  door. 
HORNBLOWER.  Well,  Chearlie? 
CHARLES.  Not  got  it. 
HORNBLOWER.  Not! 

CHARLES.  I'd  practically  got  her  to  say  she'd  sell  at 
three  thousand  five  hundred,  when  that  fellow  Dawker 
turned  up. 

HORNBLOWER.  That  bull-terrier  of  a  chap!  Why, 
he  was  here  a  while  ago.  Oh — ho !  So  that's  it ! 

CHARLES.  I  heard  him  gallop  up.  He  came  straight 
for  the  old  lady,  and  got  her  away.  What  he  said  I 
don't  know;  but  she  came  back  looking  wiser  than  an 
owl;  said  she'd  think  it  over,  thought  she  had  other 
views. 

HORNBLOWER.  Did  ye  tell  her  she  might  have  her 
price  ? 

CHARLES.  Practically  I  did. 

HORNBLOWER.  Well? 

CHARLES.  She  thought  it  would  be  fairer  to  put  it 


ACT  i  THE  SKIN  GAME  27 

up  to  auction.  There  were  other  enquiries.  Oh ! 
She's  a  leery  old  bird — reminds  me  of  one  of  those  pic- 
tures of  Fate,  don't  you  know. 

HORNBLOWER.  Auction  !  Well,  if  it's  not  gone  we'll 
get  it  yet.  That  damned  little  Dawker !  I've  had  a 
row  with  Hillcrist. 

CHARLES.  I  thought  so. 

They  are  turning  cautiously  to  look  at  HILL- 
CRIST,  when  JILL  steps  forward. 

JILL.  [Flushed  and  determined]  That's  not  a  bit 
sporting  of  you,  Mr.  Hornblower. 

[At  her  words  ROLF  comes  forward  too. 

HORNBLOWER.  Ye  should  hear  both  sides  before  ye 
say  that,  missy. 

JILL.  There  isn't  another  side  to  turning  out  the 
Jackmans  after  you'd  promised. 

HORNBLOWER.  Oh !  dear  me,  yes.  They  don't  mat- 
ter a  row  of  gingerbread  to  the  schemes  I've  got  for 
betterin'  this  neighbourhood. 

JILL.  I  had  been  standing  up  for  you;  now  I  won't. 

HORNBLOWER.  Dear,  dear !    What'll  become  of  me  ? 

JILL.  I  won't  say  anything  about  the  other  thing 
because  I  think  it's  beneath  dignity  to  notice  it.  But 
to  turn  poor  people  out  of  their  cottages  is  a  shame. 

HORNBLOWER.  Hoity  me ! 

ROLF.  [Suddenly]  You  haven't  been  doing  that, 
father? 

CHARLES.  Shut  up,  Rolf ! 

HORNBLOWER.  [Turning  on  ROLF]  Ha!  Here's  a 
league  o'  youth!  My  young  whipper-snapper,  keep 


28  THE  SKIN  GAME  ACT  i 

your  mouth  shut  and  leave  it  to  your  elders  to  know 
what's  right. 

Under  the  weight  of  this  rejoinder  ROLF  stands 
biting  his  lips.     Then  he  throws  his  head  up. 

ROLF.  I  hate  it ! 

HORNBLOWER.  [With  real  venom]  Oh!  Ye  hate  it? 
Ye  can  get  out  of  my  house,  then. 

JILL.  Free  speech,  Mr.  Hornblower;  don't  be  vio- 
lent. 

HORNBLOWER.  Ye're  right,  young  lady.  Ye  can 
stay  in  my  house,  Rolf,  and  learn  manners.  Come, 
Chearlie ! 

JILL.  [Quite  softly]  Mr.  Hornblower ! 

HILLCRIST.  [From  the  window]  Jill ! 

JILL.  [Impatiently]  Well,  what's  the  good  of  it? 
Life's  too  short  for  rows,  and  too  jolly ! 

ROLF.  Bravo! 

HORNBLOWER.  [Who  has  shown  a  sign  of  weakening] 
Now,  look  here !  I  will  not  have  revolt  in  my  family. 
Ye'll  just  have  to  learn  that  a  man  who's  worked  as 
I  have,  who's  risen  as  I  have,  and  who  knows  the 
world,  is  the  proper  judge  of  what's  right  and  wrong. 
I'll  answer  to  God  for  me  actions,  and  not  to  you  young 
people. 

JILL.  Poor  God ! 

HORNBLOWER.  [Genuinely  shocked]  Ye  blasphemous 
young  thing!  [To  ROLF]  And  ye're  just  as  bad,  ye 
young  freethinker.  I  won't  have  it. 

HILLCRIST.  [Who  has  come  down,  Right]  Jill,  I  wish 
you  would  kindly  not  talk. 

JILL.  I  can't  help  it. 


ACT  i  THE  SKIN  GAME  29 

CHARLES.  [Putting  his  arm  through  HORNBLOWEB'S] 
Come  along,  father !    Deeds,  not  words. 
HORNBLOWER.  Ay!    Deeds! 

MRS.  HILLCRIST  and  DAWKEE  have  entered  by 

the  French  window. 
MRS.  H.  Quite  right ! 

[They  all  turn  and  look  at  her. 
HORNBLOWER.  Ah!    So  ye  put  your  dog  on  to  it. 
[He  throws  out  his  finger  at  DAWKER]  Very  smart,  that 
— I  give  ye  credit. 

MRS.  H.  [Pointing  to  CHLOE,  who  has  stood  by  her- 
self, forgotten  and  uncomfortable  throughout  the  scene} 
May  I  ask  who  this  lady  is  ? 

CHLOE  turns  round  startled,  and  her  vanity  bag 

slips  down  her  dress  to  the  floor. 
HORNBLOWER.  No,  ma'am,  ye  may  not,  for  ye  know 
perfectly  well. 

JILL.  Z  brought  her  in,  mother  [She  moves  to  CHLOE'S 
side]. 

MRS.  H.  Will  you  take  her  out  again,  then. 
HILLCRIST.  Amy,    have   the   goodness    to   remem- 
ber  

MRS.  H.  That  this  is  my  house  so  far  as  ladies  are 
concerned. 
JILL.  Mother! 

She  looks  astonished  at  CHLOE,  who,  about  to 
speak,  does  not,  passing  her  eyes,  with  a  queer, 
half-scared  expression,  from  MRS.  HILLCRIST 
to  DAWKER. 
[To  CHLOE]  I'm  awfully  sorry.    Come  on ! 

[They  go  out,  Left.    ROLF  hurries  after  them. 


30  THE  SKIN  GAME  ACT  i 

CHARLES.  You've  insulted  my  wife.  Why?  What 
do  you  mean  by  it  ? 

[Mas.  HILLCRIST  simply  smiles. 

HILLCRIST.  I  apologise.  I  regret  extremely.  There 
is  no  reason  why  the  ladies  of  your  family  or  of  mine 
should  be  involved  in  our  quarrel.  For  Heaven's  sake, 
let's  fight  like  gentlemen. 

HORNBLOWER.  Catchwords — sneers!    No;  we'll  play 

what  ye  call  a  skin  game,  Hillcrist,  without  gloves  on; 

we  won't  spare  each  other.     Ye  look  out  for  yourselves, 

for,  begod,  after  this  morning  I  mean  business.     And 

as  for  you,  Dawker,  ye  sly  dog,  ye  think  yourself  very 

clever;  but  I'll  have  the  Gentry  yet.     Come,  Chearlie ! 

They  go  out,  passing  JILL,  who  is  coming  in 

again,  in  the  doorway. 

HILLCRIST.  Well,  Dawker? 

DAWKER.  [Grinning]  Safe  for  the  moment.  The  old 
lady'll  put  it  up  to  auction.  Couldn't  get  her  to  budge 
from  that.  Says  she  don't  want  to  be  unneighbourly 
to  either.  But,  if  you  ask  me,  it's  money  she  smells ! 

JILL.  [Advancing]  Now,  mother! 

MRS.  H.  Well? 

JILL.  Why  did  you  insult  her? 

MRS.  H.  I  think  I  only  asked  you  to  take  her  out. 

JILL.  Why?  Even  if  she  is  Old  Combustion's 
daughter-in-law  ? 

MRS.  H.  My  dear  Jill,  allow  me  to  judge  the  sort 
of  acquaintances  I  wish  to  make.  [She  looks  at  DAWKER. 

JILL.  She's  all  right.  Lots  of  women  powder  and 
touch  up  their  lips  nowadays.  I  think  she's  rather  a 
good  sort;  she  was  awfully  upset. 


ACT  i  THE  SKIN   GAME  31 

MRS.  H.  Too  upset. 

JILL.  Oh !  don't  be  so  mysterious,  mother.  If  you 
know  something,  do  spit  it  out ! 

MBS.  H.  Do  you  wish  me  to — er — "spit  it  out," 
Jack? 

HILLCKIST.  Dawker,  if  you  don't  mind 

DAWKER,  with  a  nod,  passes  away  out  of  the 

French  window. 
Jill,  be  respectful,  and  don't  talk  like  a  bargee. 

JILL.  It's  no  good,  Dodo.  It  made  me  ashamed. 
It's  just  as — as  caddish  to  insult  people  who  haven't 
said  a  word,  in  your  own  house,  as  it  is  to  be — old 
Hornblower. 

MRS.  H.  You  don't  know  what  you're  talking 
about. 

HILLCBIST.  What's  the  matter  with  young  Mrs. 
Hornblower  ? 

MRS.  H.  Excuse  me,  I  shall  keep  my  thoughts  to 
myself  at  present. 

She  looks  coldly  at  JILL,  and  goes  out  through 
the  French  window. 

HILLCRIST.  You've  thoroughly  upset  your  mother, 
Jill. 

JILL.  It's  something  Dawker's  told  her;  I  saw  them. 
I  don't  like  Dawker,  father,  he's  so  common. 

HILLCRIST.  My  dear,  we  can't  all  be  uncommon. 
He's  got  lots  of  go.  You  must  apologise  to  your 
mother. 

JILL.  [Shaking  her  clubbed  hair]  They'll  make  you 
do  things  you  don't  approve  of,  Dodo,  if  you  don't 
look  out.  Mother's  fearfully  bitter  when  she  gets  her 


32  THE  SKIN  GAME  ACT! 

knife  in.  If  old  Hornblower's  disgusting,  it's  no  reason 
we  should  be. 

HILLCRIST.  So  you  think  I'm  capable — that's  nice, 
Jill! 

JILL.  No,  no,  darling!  I  only  want  to  warn  you 
solemnly  that  mother'll  tell  you  you're  fighting  fair, 
no  matter  what  she  and  Dawker  do. 

HILLCEIST.  [Smiling]  Jill,  I  don't  think  I  ever  saw 
you  so  serious. 

JILL.  No.  Because — [She  swallows  a  lump  in  her 
throat]  Well — I  was  just  beginning  to  enjoy  myself; 
and  now — everything's  going  to  be  bitter  and  beastly, 
with  mother  in  that  mood.  That  horrible  old  man ! 
Oh,  Dodo !  Don't  let  them  make  you  horrid !  You're 
such  a  darling.  How's  your  gout,  ducky? 

HILLCEIST.  Better;  lot  better. 

JILL.  There,  you  see!  That  shows!  It's  going  to 
be  hah*  interesting  for  you,  but  not  for — us. 

HILLCRIST.  Look  here,  Jill — is  there  anything  be- 
tween you  and  young  what's-his-name — Rolf? 

JILL.  [Biting  her  lip]  No.  But — now  it's  ail 
spoiled. 

HILLCRIST.  You  can't  expect  me  to  regret  that. 

JILL.  I  don't  mean  any  tosh  about  love's  young 
dream;  but  I  do  like  being  friends.  I  want  to  enjoy 
things,  Dodo,  and  you  can't  do  that  when  everybody's 
on  the  hate.  You're  going  to  wallow  in  it,  and  so 
shall  I — oh !  I  know  I  shall ! — we  shall  all  wallow,  and 
think  of  nothing  but  "one  for  his  nob." 

HILLCBIST.  Aren't  you  fond  of  your  home  ? 

JILL.  Of  course.    I  love  it. 


ACT  i  THE  SKIN  GAME  33 

HILLCRIST.  Well,  you  won't  be  able  to  live  in  it 
unless  we  stop  that  ruffian.  Chimneys  and  smoke, 
the  trees  cut  down,  piles  of  pots.  Every  kind  of 
abomination.  There!  [He points]  Imagine  !  [He  points 
through  the  French  window,  as  if  he  could  see  those  chim- 
neys rising  and  marring  the  beauty  of  the  fields]  I  was 
born  here,  and  my  father,  and  his,  and  his,  and  his. 
They  loved  those  fields,  and  those  old  trees.  And  this 
barbarian,  with  his  "improvement"  schemes,  forsooth ! 
I  learned  to  ride  in  the  Gentry  meadows — prettiest 
spring  meadows  in  the  world;  I've  climbed  every  tree 

there.    Why    my   father   ever    sold !    But    who 

could  have  imagined  this?    And  come  at  a  bad  mo- 
ment, when  money's  scarce. 
JILL.  [Cuddling  his  arm}  Dodo ! 
HILLCRIST.  Yes.     But  you  don't  love  the  place  as 
I  do,  Jill.    You  youngsters  don't  love  anything,  I 
sometimes  think. 

JILL.  I  do,  Dodo,  I  do ! 

HILLCRIST.  You've  got  it  all  before  you.  But  you 
may  live  your  life  and  never  find  anything  so  good  and 
so  beautiful  as  this  old  home.  I'm  not  going  to  have 
it  spoiled  without  a  fight. 

Conscious  of  having  betrayed  sentiment,  he  walks 
out  at  the  French  window,  passing  away  to 
the  Right.  JILL,  following  to  the  window, 
looks.  Then  throwing  back  her  head,  she 
clasps  her  hands  behind  it. 
JILL.  Oh — oh — oh! 

A  voice  behind  her  says,  "JILL!"     She  turn* 
and  starts  back,  leaning  against  the  right  lin- 


34  THE  SKIN  GAME  ACT  i 

tel  of  the  window.     ROLF  appears  outside 
the  window  from  Left. 
Who  goes  there  ? 

ROLF.  [Buttressed  against  the  Left  lintel]  Enemy — 
after  Chloe's  bag. 

JILL.  Pass,  enemy !    And  all's  ill ! 

ROLF  passes  through  the  window,  and  retrieves 
the  vanity  bag  from  the  floor  where  CHLOE 
dropped  it,  then  again  takes  his  stand  against 
the  Left  lintel  of  the  French  window. 

ROLF.  It's  not  going  to  make  any  difference,  is  it? 

JILL.  You  know  it  is. 

ROLF.  Sins  of  the  fathers. 

JILL.  Unto  the  third  and  fourth  generations.  What 
sin  has  my  father  committed  ? 

ROLF.  None,  in  a  way;  only,  I've  often  told  you  I 
don't  see  why  you  should  treat  us  as  outsiders.  We 
don't  like  it. 

JILL.  Well,  you  shouldn't  be,  then;  I  mean,  he 
shouldn't  be. 

ROLF.  Father's  just  as  human  as  your  father;  he's 
wrapped  up  in  us,  and  all  his  "getting  on"  is  for  us. 
Would  you  like  to  be  treated  as  your  mother  treated 
Chloe?  Your  mother's  set  the  stroke  for  the  other 
big- wigs  about  here;  nobody  calls  on  Chloe.  And  why 
not?  Why  not?  I  think  it's  contemptible  to  bar 
people  just  because  they're  new,  as  you  call  it,  and  have 
to  make  their  position  instead  of  having  it  left  them. 

JILL.  It's  not  because  they're  new,  it's  because — if 
your  father  behaved  like  a  gentleman,  he'd  be  treated 
like  one. 


ACT  i  THE  SKIN  GAME  35 

ROLF.  Would  he?  I  don't  believe  it.  My  father's 
a  very  able  man;  he  thinks  he's  entitled  to  have  influ- 
ence here.  Well,  everybody  tries  to  keep  him  down. 
Oh !  yes,  they  do.  That  makes  him  mad  and  more 
determined  than  ever  to  get  his  way.  You  ought  to 
be  just,  Jill. 

JILL.  I  am  just. 

ROLF.  No,  you're  not.  Besides,  what's  it  got  to  do 
with  Charlie  and  Chloe?  Chloe's  particularly  harm- 
less. It's  pretty  sickening  for  her.  Father  didn't  ex- 
pect people  to  call  until  Charlie  married,  but  since 

JILL.  I  think  it's  all  very  petty. 

ROLF.  It  is — a  dog-in-the-manger  business;  I  did 
think  you  were  above  it. 

JILL.  How  would  you  like  to  have  your  home  spoiled  ? 

ROLF.  I'm  not  going  to  argue.  Only  things  don't 
stand  still.  Homes  aren't  any  more  proof  against 
change  than  anything  else. 

JILL.  All  right!    You  come  and  try  and  take  ours. 

ROLF.  We  don't  want  to  take  your  home. 

JILL.  Like  the  Jackmans'  ? 

ROLF.  All  right.    I  see  you're  hopelessly  prejudiced. 

[He  turns  to  go. 

JILL.  [Just  as  he  is  vanishing — softly]  Enemy? 

ROLF.  [Turning]  Yes,  enemy. 

JILL.  Before  the  battle — let's  shake  hands. 

They  move  from  the  lintels  and  grasp  each 
other's  hands  in  the  centre  of  the  French 
window. 

CURTAIN 


ACT  II 


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A  billiard  room  in  a  provincial  hotel,  where  things  are 
bought  and  sold.  The  scene  is  set  well  forward, 
and  is  not  very  broad ;  it  represents  the  auctioneer's 
end  of  the  room,  having,  rather  to  stage  Left,  a  narrow 
table  with  two  chairs  facing  the  audience,  where  the 
auctioneer  will  sit  and  stand.  The  table,  which  is 
set  forward  to  the  footlights,  is  littered  with  green- 
covered  particulars  of  sale.  The  audience  are  in 
effect  public  and  bidders.  There  is  a  door  on  the 
Left,  level  with  the  table.  Along  the  back  wall,  behind 
the  table,  are  two  raised  benches  with  two  steps  up  to 
them,  such  as  billiard  rooms  often  have,  divided  by 
a  door  in  the  middle  of  a  wall,  which  is  panelled  in 
oak.  Late  September  sunlight  is  coming  from  a 
skylight  (not  visible]  on  to  these  seats.  The  stage  is 
empty  when  the  curtain  goes  up,  but  DAWKEB  and 
MRS.  HILLCRIST  are  just  entering  through  the  door 
at  the  back. 

DAWKER.  Be  out  of  their  way  here,  ma'am.    See  old 
Hornblower   with  Chearlie? 

[He  points  down  to  the  audience. 
SO 


40  THE  SKIN  GAME  ACT  n 

MRS.  H.  It  begins  at  three,  doesn't  it  ? 

DAWKEB.  They  won't  be  over-punctual;  there's  only 
the  Gentry  selling.  There's  young  Mrs.  Hornblower 
with  the  other  boy — [Pointing]  over  at  the  entrance. 
I've  got  that  chap  I  told  you  of  down  from  town. 

MRS.  H.  Ah !  make  sure  quite  of  her,  Da wker.  Any 
mistake  would  be  fatal. 

DA  WKER.  [Nodding]  That's  right,  ma'am.  Lot  of 
people — always  spare  time  to  watch  an  auction — ever 
remark  that?  The  Duke's  agent's  here;  shouldn't  be 
surprised  if  he  chipped  in. 

MRS.  H.  Where  did  you  leave  my  husband? 

DAWKER.  With  Miss  Jill,  in  the  courtyard.  He's 
coming  to  you.  In  case  I  miss  him,  tell  him  when  I 
reach  his  limit  to  blow  his  nose  if  he  wants  me  to  go 
on;  when  he  blows  it  a  second  time,  I'll  stop  for  good. 
Hope  we  shan't  get  to  that.  Old  Hornblower  doesn't 
throw  his  money  away. 

MRS.  H.  What  limit  did  you  settle  ? 

DAWKER.  Six  thousand! 

MRS.  H.  That's  a  fearful  price.  Well,  good  luck  to 
you,  Dawker ! 

DAWKER.  Good  luck,  ma'am.  I'll  go  and  see  to 
that  little  matter  of  Mrs.  Chloe.  Never  fear,  we'll  do 
them  in  somehow. 

He  winks,  lays  his  finger  on  the  side  of  his  nose, 

and  goes  out  at  the  door. 
MRS.  HILLCRIST  mounts  the  two  steps,  sits  down 
Right  of  the  door,  and  puts  up  a  pair  of 
long-handled  glasses.    Through  the  door  be- 


sc.  i  THE  SKIN  GAME  41 

hind  her  come  CHLOE  and  ROLF.  She  make* 
a  sign  for  him  to  go,  and  shuts  the  door. 

CHLOE.  [At  the  foot  of  the  steps — in  the  gangway — in 
a  slightly  common  accent]  Mrs.  Hillcrist! 

MRS.  H.  [Not  quite  starting]  I  beg  your  pardon  ? 

CHLOE.  [Again]  Mrs.  Hillcrist 

MRS.  H.  Well? 

CHLOE.  I  never  did  you  any  harm. 

MRS.  H.  Did  I  ever  say  you  did? 

CHLOE.  No;  but  you  act  as  if  I  had. 

MRS.  H.  I'm  not  aware  that  I've  acted  at  all — as 
yet.  You  are  nothing  to  me,  except  as  one  of  your 
family. 

CHOLE.  'Tisn't  I  that  wants  to  spoil  your  home. 

MRS.  H.  Stop  them  then.  I  see  your  husband  down 
there  with  his  father. 

CHLOE.  I — I  have  tried. 

MRS.  H.  [Looking  at  her]  Oh !  I  suppose  such  men 
don't  pay  attention  to  what  women  ask  them. 

CHLOE.  [With  a  flash  of  spirit]  I'm  fond  of  my  hus- 
band. I 

MRS.  H.  [Looking  at  her  steadily]  I  don't  quite  know 
why  you  spoke  to  me. 

CHLOE.  [With  a  sort  of  pathetic  sullenness]  I  only 
thought  perhaps  you'd  like  to  treat  me  as  a  human 
being. 

MRS.  H.  Really,  if  you  don't  mind,  I  should  like  to 
be  left  alone  just  now. 

CHLOE.  [Unhappily  acquiescent]  Certainly !  I'll  go  to 
the  other  end. 


42  THE  SKIN  GAME  ACT  n 

She  moves  to  the  Left,  mounts  the  steps  and  aits 

down. 

ROLF,  looking  in  through  the  door,  and  seeing 
where  she  is,  joins  her.    MRS.  HILLCRIST  re- 
settles herself  a  little  further  in  on  the  Right. 
ROLF.  [Bending  over  to  CHLOE,  after  a  glance  at  MRS. 
HILLCRIST]  Are  you  all  right? 
CHLOE.  It's  awfully  hot. 

She  fans  herself  with  the  particulars  of  sale. 
ROLF.  There's  Dawker.    I  hate  that  chap ! 
CHLOE.  Where? 
ROLF.  Down  there;  see? 

He  points  down  to  stage  Right  of  the  room. 
CHLOE.  [Drawing  back  in  her  seat  with  a  little  gasp] 
Oh! 

ROLF.  [Not  noticing]  Who's  that  next  him,  looking 
up  here  ?  , 

CHLOE.  I  don't  know. 

She  has  raised  her  auction  programme  suddenly, 
and  sits  fanning  herself,  carefully  screening 
her  face. 

ROLF.  [Looking  at  her]  Don't  you  feel  well?    Shall 
I  get  you  some  water?  [He  gets  up  at  her  nod. 

As  he  reaches  the  door,  HILLCRIST  and  JILL 
come  in.    HILLCRIST  passes  him  abstractedly 
with  a  nod,  and  sits  down  beside  his  wife. 
JILL.  [To  ROLF]  Come  to  see  us  turned  out? 
ROLF.  [Emphatically]  No.    I'm  looking  after  Chloe; 
she's  not  well. 

JILL.  [Glancing   at   her]  Sorry.    She   needn't   have 
come,  I  suppose  ?   [ROLF  deigns  no  answer,  and  goes  out. 


sc.  i  THE  SKIN  GAME  43 

JILL  glances  at  CHLOE,  then  at  her  parents  talk- 
ing in  low  voices,  and  sits  down  next  her 
father,  who  makes  room  for  her. 

MRS.  H.  Can  Dawker  see  you  there,  Jack? 

[HILLCBIST  nods. 
What's  the  time? 

HILLCRIST.  Three  minutes  to  three. 

JILL.  Don't  you  feel  beastly  all  down  the  backs  of 
your  legs,  Dodo  ? 

HILLCRIST.  Yes. 

JILL.  Do  you,  mother  ? 

MRS.  H.  No. 

JILL.  A  wagon  of  old  Hornblower's  pots  passed  while 
we  were  in  the  yard.  It's  an  omen. 

MRS.  H.  Don't  be  foolish,  Jill. 

JILL.  Look  at  the  old  brute !    Dodo,  hold  my  hand. 

MRS.  H.  Make  sure  you've  got  a  handkerchief ,  Jack. 

HILLCRIST.  I  can't  go  beyond  the  six  thousand;  I 
shall  have  to  raise  every  penny  on  mortgage  as  it  is. 
The  estate  simply  won't  stand  more,  Amy. 

He  feels  in  his  breast  pocket,  and  pulls  up  the 
edge  of  his  handkerchief. 

JILL.  Oh!  Look!  There's  Miss  Mullins,  at  the 
back;  just  come  in.  Isn't  she  a  spidery  old  chip  ? 

MRS.  H.  Come  to  gloat.  Really,  I  think  her  not 
accepting  your  offer  is  disgusting.  Her  impartiality  is 
all  humbug. 

HILLCRIST.  Can't  blame  her  for  getting  what  she 
can — it's  human  nature.  Phew!  I  used  to  feel  like 
this  before  a  viva  voce.  Who's  that  next  to  Dawker? 

JILL.  What  a  fish ! 


44  THE  SKIN  GAME  ACT  n 

MRS.  H.  [To  herself]  Ah!  yes. 

Her  eyes  slide  round  at  CHLOE,  sitting  motion- 
less and  rather  sunk  in  her  seat,  slowly  fan- 
ning herself  with  the  particulars  of  the  sale. 
Jack,  go  and  offer  her  my  smelling  salts. 

HILLCRIST.  [Taking  the  salts]  Thank  God  for  a 
human  touch ! 

MBS.  H.  [Taken  aback]  Oh !  I 

JILL.  [With  a  quick  look  at  her  mother,  snatching  the 
salts]  I  will.  [She  goes  over  to  CHLOE  with  the  salts]  Have 
a  sniff;  you  look  awfully  white. 

CHLOE.  [Looking  up,  startled]  Oh !  no  thanks.  I'm 
all  right. 

JILL.  No,  do !    You  must.  [CHLOE  takes  them. 

JILL.  D'you  mind  letting  me  see  that  a  minute? 

She  takes  the  particulars  of  the  sale  and  studies 
it,  but  CHLOE  has  buried  the  lower  part  of 
her  face  in  her  hand  and  the  smelling  salt* 
bottle. 
Beastly  hot,  isn't  it  ?    You'd  better  keep  that. 

CHLOE.  [Her  dark  eyes  wandering  and  uneasy]  Rolf's 
getting  me  some  water. 

JILL.  Why  do  you  stay  ?  You  didn't  want  to  come, 
did  you  ?  [CHLOE  shakes  her  head. 

All  right!    Here's  your  water. 

She  hands  back  the  particulars  and  slides  over 
to  her  seat,  passing  ROLF  in  the  gangway, 
with  her  chin  well  up. 

MRS.  HILLCRIST,  who  has  watched  CHLOE  and 
JILL  and  DAWKER  and  his  friend,  makes  an 


BC.  i  THE  SKIN  GAME  45 

enquiring  movement  with  her  hand,  but  gets 
a  disappointing  answer. 

JILL.  What's  the  time,  Dodo? 

HILLCRIST.  [Looking  at  his  watch]  Three  minutes  past. 

JILL.  [Sighing]  Oh,  hell ! 

HILLCRIST.  Jill ! 

JILL.  Sorry,  Dodo.     I  was  only  thinking.     Look! 
Here  he  is !    Phew ! — isn't  he ? 

MRS.  H.  'Sh! 

The  AUCTIONEER  comes  in  Left  and  goes  to  the 
table.  He  is  a  square,  short,  brown-faced, 
common-looJcing  man,  with  clipped  grey  hair 
fitting  him  like  a  cap,  and  a  clipped  grey 
moustache.  His  lids  come  down  over  his 
quick  eyes,  till  he  can  see  you  very  sharply, 
and  you  can  hardly  see  that  he  can  see  you. 
He  can  break  into  a  smile  at  any  moment, 
which  has  no  connection  with  him,  as  it  were. 
By  a  certain  hurt  look,  however,  when  bidding 
is  slow,  he  discloses  that  he  is  not  merely  an 
auctioneer,  but  has  in  him  elements  of  the 
human  being.  He  can  wink  with  anyone, 
and  is  dressed  in  a  snuff-brown  suit,  with  a 
perfectly  unbuttoned  waistcoat,  a  low,  turned- 
down  collar,  and  small  black  and  white  sailor- 
knot  tie.  While  he  is  settling  his  papers,  the 
HILLCRISTS  settle  themselves  tensely.  CHLOB 
has  drunk  her  water  and  leaned  back  again, 
with  the  smelling  salts  to  her  nose.  ROLF 
leans  forward  in  the  seat  beside  her,  looking 


46  THE  SKIN  GAME  ACT  n 

sideways  at  JILL.  A  SOLICITOR,  with  a  grey 
beard,  has  joined  the  AUCTIONEER  at  his  table. 
AUCTIONEER.  [Tapping  the  table}  Sorry  to  disappoint 
you,  gentlemen,  but  I've  only  one  property  to  offer  you 
to-day,  No.  1,  The  Gentry,  Deep  water.  The  second 
on  the  particulars  has  been  withdrawn.  The  third — 
that's  Bidcot,  desirable  freehold  mansion  and  farmlands 
in  the  Parish  of  Kenway — we  shall  have  to  deal  with 
next  week.  I  shall  be  happy  to  sell  it  you  then  with- 
out reservation.  [He  looks  again  through  the  particulars 
in  his  hand,  giving  the  audience  time  to  readjust  them- 
selves to  his  statements]  Now,  gen'lemen,  as  I  say,  I've 
only  the  one  property  to  sell.  Freehold  No.  1 — all 
that  very  desirable  corn  and  stock-rearing  and  parklike 
residential  land  known  as  the  Gentry,  Deepwater, 
unique  property — an  A.I.  chance  to  an  A.I.  audience. 
[With  his  smile]  Ought  to  make  the  price  of  the  three 
we  thought  we  had.  Now  you  won't  mind  listening  to 
the  conditions  of  sale;  Mr.  Blinkard'll  read  'em,  and 
they  won't  wirry  you,  they're  very  short. 

He  sits  down  and  gives  two  little  taps  on  the 

table. 

The  SOLICITOR  rises  and  reads  the  conditions 
of  sale  in  a  voice  which  no  one  practically 
can  hear.  Just  as  he  begins  to  read  these 
conditions  of  sale,  CHARLES  HORNBLOWER 
enters  at  back.  He  stands  a  moment,  glanc- 
ing round  at  the  HILLCRISTS  and  twirling  his 
moustache,  then  moves  along  to  his  wife  and 
touches  her. 
CHARLES.  Chloe,  aren't  you  well  ? 


sc.  i  THE  SKIN  GAME  47 

In  the  start  which  she  gives,  her  face  is  fully 

revealed  to  the  audience. 

CHARLES.  Come  along,  out  of  the  way  of  these 
people. 

He  jerks  his  head  towards  the  HILLCBISTS. 
CHLOE  gives  a  swift  look  down  to  the  stage 
Right  of  the  audience. 

CHLOE.  No;  I'm  all  right;  it's  hotter  there. 
CHARLES.  [To  ROLF]  Well,  look  after  her — I  must 
go  back. 

ROLF  nods.  CHARLES  slides  back  to  the  door, 
with  a  glance  at  the  HILLCRISTS,  of  whom 
MRS.  HILLCRIST  has  been  watching  like  a 
lynx.  He  goes  out,  just  as  the  SOLICITOR, 
finishing,  sits  down. 

AUCTIONEER.  [Rising  and  tapping}  Now,  gen'lemen, 
it's  not  often  a  piece  of  land  like  this  comes  into  the 
market.  What's  that?  [To  a  friend  in  front  of  him] 
No  better  land  in  Deepwater — that's  right,  Mr.  Spicer. 
I  know  the  village  well,  and  a  charming  place  it  is; 
perfect  locality,  to  be  sure.  Now  I  don't  want  to 
wirry  you  by  singing  the  praises  of  this  property;  there 
it  is — well-watered,  nicely  timbered — no  reservation  of 
the  timber,  gen'lemen — no  tenancy  to  hold  you  up; 
free  to  do  what  you  like  with  it  to-morrow.  You've 
got  a  jewel  of  a  site  there,  too;  perfect  position  for  a 
house.  It  lies  between  the  Duke's  and  Squire  Hill- 
crist's — an  emerald  isle.  [With  his  smile]  No  allusion 
to  Ireland,  gen'lemen — perfect  peace  in  the  Gentry. 
Nothing  like  it  in  the  county — a  gen'leman's  site,  and 
you  don't  get  that  offered  you  every  day.  [He  looks 


48  THE  SKIN  GAME  ACT  n 

down  towards  HORNBLOWER,  stage  Left]  Carries  the 
mineral  rights,  and  as  you  know,  perhaps,  there's  the 
very  valuable  Deepwater  clay  there.  What  am  I  to 
start  it  at?  Can  I  say  three  thousand?  Well,  any- 
thing you  like  to  give  me.  I'm  not  particular.  Come 
now,  you've  got  more  time  than  me,  I  expect.  Two 
hundred  acres  of  first-rate  grazin'  and  cornland,  with 
a  site  for  a  residence  unequalled  in  the  county;  and  all 
the  possibilities !  Well,  what  shall  I  say  ? 

[Bid  from  SPICER. 

Two  thousand?  [With  his  smile]  That  won't  hurt  you, 
Mr.  Spicer.  Why,  it's  worth  that  to  overlook  the 
Duke.  For  two  thousand  ? 

[Bid  from  HORNBLOWER,  stage  Left. 
And  five.  Thank  you,  sir.  Two  thousand  five  hun- 
dred bid.  [To  a  friend  just  below  him. 
Come,  Mr.  Sandy,  don't  scratch  your  head  over  it. 

[Bid  from  DAWKER,  stage  Right. 

And  five.  Three  thousand  bid  for  this  desirable  prop- 
erty. Why,  you'd  think  it  wasn't  desirable.  Come 
along,  gen'lemen.  A  little  spirit.  [A  slight  pause. 

JILL.  Why  can't  I  see  the  bids,  Dodo  ? 

HILLCRIST.  The  last  was  Dawker's. 

AUCTIONEER.  For  three  thousand.  [HORNBLOWER] 
Three  thousand  five  hundred?  May  I  say  four?  [A 
bid  from  the  centre]  No,  I'm  not  particular;  I'll  take 
hundreds.  Three  thousand  six  hundred  bid.  [HORN- 
BLOWER]  And  seven.  Three  thousand  seven  hundred, 
and [He  pauses,  quartering  the  audience. 

JILL.  Who  was  that,  Dodo? 


sc.  i  THE  SKIN  GAME  49 

HILLCKIST.  Hornblower.  It's  the  Duke  in  the 
centre. 

AUCTIONEER.  Come,  gen'lemen,  don't  keep  me  all 
day.  Four  thousand  may  I  say?  [DAWKER]  Thank 
you.  We're  beginning.  And  one?  [-4  bid  from  the 
centre]  Four  thousand  one  hundred.  [HORNBLOWER] 
Four  thousand  two  hundred.  May  I  have  yours,  sir? 
[To  DAWKER]  And  three.  Four  thousand  three  hun- 
dred bid.  No  such  site  in  the  county,  gen'lemen.  I'm 
going  to  sell  this  land  for  what  it's  worth.  You  can't 
bid  too  much  for  me.  [He  smiles]  [HORNBLOWER]  Four 
thousand  five  hundred  bid.  [Bid  from  the  centre]  And 
six.  [DAWKER]  And  seven.  [HORNBLOWER]  And  eight. 
Nine,  may  I  say  ?  [But  the  centre  has  dried  up]  [DAWKER] 
And  nine.  [HORNBLOWER]  Five  thousand.  Five  thou- 
sand bid.  That's  better;  there's  some  spirit  in  it. 
For  five  thousand. 

[He  pauses  while  he  speaks  to  the  SOLICITOR. 

HILLCRIST.  It's  a  duel  now. 

AUCTIONEER.  Now,  gen'lemen,  I'm  not  going  to  give 
this  property  away.  Five  thousand  bid.  [DAWKER] 
And  one.  [HORNBLOWER]  And  two.  [DAWKER]  And 
three.  Five  thousand  three  hundred  bid.  And  five, 
did  you  say,  sir?  [HORNBLOWER]  Five  thousand  five 
hundred  bid.  [He  looks  at  his  particulars. 

JILL.  [Rather  agonised]  Enemy,  Dodo. 

AUCTIONEER.  This  chance  may  never  come  again. 
"How  you'll  regret  it 
If  you  don't  get  it," 
as  the  poet  says.    May  I  say  five  thousand  six  hun- 


50  THE  SKIN  GAME  ACT  n 

dred,  sir?  [DAWKER]  Five  thousand  six  hundred  bid. 
HORNBLOWER]  And  seven.  [DAWKER]  And  eight.  For 
five  thousand  eight  hundred  pounds.  We're  gettin'  on, 
but  we  haven't  got  the  value  yet. 

A  slight  pause,  while  he  wipes  his  brow  at  the 

success  of  his  own  efforts. 
JILL.  Us,  Dodo? 

HILLCRIST  nods.  JILL  looks  over  at  ROLF,  whose 
face  is  grimly  set.    CHLOE  has  never  moved. 
MRS.  HILLCRIST  whispers  to  her  husband. 
AUCTIONEER.  Five    thousand    eight    hundred    bid. 
For    five    thousand    eight    hundred.    Come    along, 
gen'lemen,  come  along.    We're  not  beaten.    Thank 
you,  sir.  [HORNBLOWER]  Five  thousand  nine  hundred. 
And — ?  [DAWKER]  Six  thousand.    Six  thousand  bid. 
Six  thousand  bid.    For  six  thousand !    The  Gentry — 
most  desirable  spot  in  the  county — going  for  the  low 
price  of  six  thousand. 
HILLCRIST.  [Muttering}  Low !    Heavens ! 
AUCTIONEER.  Any  advance  on  six  thousand  ?    Come, 
gen'lemen,  we  haven't  dried  up?    A  little  spirit.    Six 
thousand?    For    six    thousand?    For    six    thousand 
pounds?     Very  well,  I'm  selling.     For  six  thousand 
once — [He  taps]  For  six  thousand  twice — [He  taps]. 
JILL.  [Low]  Oh !  we've  got  it ! 
AUCTIONEER.  And  one,  sir  ?  [HORNBLOWER]  Six  thou- 
sand one  hundred  bid. 

The  SOLICITOR  touches  his  arm  and  says  some- 
thing, to  which  the  AUCTIONEER  responds 
with  a  nod. 


sc.  i  THE  SKIN  GAME  51 

MRS.  H.  Blow  your  nose,  Jack. 

[HILLCRIST  blows  his  nose. 

AUCTIONEER.  For  six  thousand  one  hundred.  [DAW- 
KER] And  two.  Thank  you.  [HORNBLOWER]  And  three. 
For  six  thousand  three  hundred.  [DAWKER]  And  four. 
For  six  thousand  four  hundred  pounds.  This  coveted 
property.  For  six  thousand  four  hundred  pounds. 
Why,  it's  giving  it  away,  gen'lemen.  [A  pause. 

MRS.  H.  Giving! 

AUCTIONEER.  Six  thousand  four  hundred  bid.  [HORN- 
BLOWER]  And  five.  [DAWKER]  And  six.  [HORNBLOWER] 
And  seven.  [DAWKER]  And  eight. 

A  pause,  during  which,  through  the  door  Left, 
someone  beckons  to  the  SOLICITOR,  who  rises 
and  confers. 

HILLCRIST.  [Muttering]  I've  done  if  that  doesn't  get 
it. 

AUCTIONEER.  For  six  thousand  eight  hundred.  For 
six  thousand  eight  hundred — once — [He  taps]  twice — 
[He  taps]  For  the  last  time.  This  dominating  site. 
[HORNBLOWER]  And  nine.  Thank  you.  For  six  thou- 
sand nine  hundred. 

[HILLCRIST  has  taken  out  his  handkerchief. 

JILL.  Oh!  Dodo! 

MRS.  H.  [Quivering]  Don't  give  in ! 

AUCTIONEER.  Seven  thousand  may  I  say  ?  [DAWKER] 
Seven  thousand. 

MRS.  H.  [Whispers]  Keep  it  down;  don't  show 
him. 

AUCTIONEER.  For  seven  thousand — going  for  seven 


52  THE  SKIN  GAME  ACT  n 

thousand — once — [Taps]  twice — [Taps]  [HORNBIIOWER] 
And  one.     Thank  you,  sir. 

HILLCRIST  blows  his  nose.    JILL,  with  a  choke, 
leans  back  in  her  seat  and  folds  her  arms 
tightly  on  her  chest.    MRS.  HILLCRIST  passes 
her  handkerchief  over  her  lips,  sitting  perfectly 
still.    HILLCRIST,  too,  is  motionless. 
The  AUCTIONEER  has  -paused,  and  is  talking  to 
the  SOLICITOR,  who  has  returned  to  his  seat. 
MRS.  H.  Oh !  Jack. 
JILL.  Stick  it,  Dodo;  stick  it! 

AUCTIONEER.  Now,  gen'lemen,  I  have  a  bid  of  seven 
thousand  one  hundred  for  the  Gentry.  And  I'm  in- 
structed to  sell  if  I  can't  get  more.  It's  a  fair  price, 
but  not  a  big  price.  [To  his  friend  MR.  SPICER]  A 
thumpin'  price?  [With  his  smile]  Well,  you're  a  judge 
of  thumpin',  I  admit.  Now,  who'll  give  me  seven 
thousand  two  hundred?  What,  no  one?  Well,  I 
can't  make  you,  gen'lemen.  For  seven  thousand  one 
hundred.  Once — [Taps]  Twice — [Taps]. 

[JiLL  utters  a  little  groan. 

HILLCRIST.  [Suddenly,  in  a  queer  voice]  Two. 

AUCTIONEER.  [Turning  with  surprise  and  looking  up 

to  receive  HILLCRIST'S  nod]  Thank  you,  sir.    And  two. 

Seven  thousand  two  hundred.  [He  screws  himself  round 

so  as  to  command  both  HILLCRIST  and  HORNBLOWER] 

May  I  have  yours,  sir?  [HORNBLOWER]  And  three. 

[HILLCRIST]  And  four.     Seven  thousand  four  hundred. 

For  seven  thousand  four  hundred.  [HORNBLOWER]  Five. 

[HILLCRIST]  Six.    For  seven  thousand  six  hundred.  [A 


sc.  i  THE  SKIN  GAME  53 

pause]  Well,  gen'lemen,  this  is  better,  but  a  record 
property  shid  fetch  a  record  price.  The  possibilities 
are  enormous.  [HORNBLOWER]  Eight  thousand  did  you 
say,  sir?  Eight  thousand.  Going  for  eight  thousand 
pounds.  [HILLCRIST]  And  one.  [HORNBLOWER]  And  two. 
[HILLCRIST]  And  three.  [HORNBLOWER]  And  four.  [HILL- 
CRIST]  And  five.  For  eight  thousand  five  hundred.  A 
wonderful  property  for  eight  thousand  five  hundred. 

[He  wipes  his  brow. 

JILL.  [Whispering]  Oh,  Dodo ! 

MRS.  H.  That's  enough,  Jack,  we  must  stop  some 
time. 

AUCTIONEER.  For  eight  thousand  five  hundred. 
Once — [Taps]  Twice — [Taps]  [HORNBLOWER]  Six  hun- 
dred. [HILLCRIST]  Seven.  May  I  have  yours,  sir? 
[HORNBLOWER]  Eight. 

HILLCRIST.  Nine  thousand. 

MRS.  HILLCRIST  looks  at  him,  biting  her  lips, 
but  he  is  quite  absorbed. 

AUCTIONEER.  Nine  thousand  for  this  astounding 
property.  Why,  the  Duke  would  pay  that  if  he  realised 
he'd  be  overlooked.  Now,  sir?  [To  HORNBLOWER. 
No  response].  Just  a  little  raise  on  that.  [No  response.] 
For  nine  thousand.  The  Gentry,  Deepwater,  for  nine 
thousand.  Once — [Taps]  Twice — [Taps]. 

JILL.  [Under  her  breath]  Ours ! 

A  VOICE.  [From  far  back  in  the  centre]  And  five 
hundred. 

AUCTIONEER.  [Surprised  and  throwing  out  his  arms 
towards  the  voice]  And  five  hundred.  For  nine  thou- 


54  THE  SKIN  GAME  ACT  H 

sand  five  hundred.    May  I  have  yours,  sir?  [He  looks 
at  HOBNBLOWEB.    No  response.] 

[The  SOLICITOR  speaks  to  him. 

MRS.  H.  [Whispering]  It  must  be  the  Duke  again. 

HILLCRIST.  [Passing  his  hand  over  his  brow]  That's 
stopped  him,  anyway. 

AUCTIONEER.  [Looking  at  HILLCRIST]  For  nine  thou- 
sand five  hundred?  [HILLCRIST  shakes  his  head.] 
Once  more.  The  Gentry,  Deepwater,  for  nine  thou- 
sand five  hundred.  Once — [Taps]  Twice — [Taps]  [He 
pauses  and  looks  again  at  HORNBLOWER  and  HILLCRIST] 
For  the  last  time — at  nine  thousand  five  hundred. 
[Taps]  [With  a  look  towards  the  bidder]  Mr.  Smalley. 
Well !  [With  great  satisfaction]  That's  that !  No  more 
to-day,  gen'lemen. 

The  AUCTIONEER  and  SOLICITOR  busy  them- 
selves.    The  room  begins  to  empty. 

MRS.  H.  Smalley?  Smalley?  7*  that  the  Duke's 
agent  ?  Jack ! 

HILLCRIST.  [Coming  out  of  a  sort  of  coma,  after  the 
excitement  he  has  been  going  through]  What !  What ! 

JILL.  Oh,  Dodo !    How  splendidly  you  stuck  it ! 

HILLCRIST.  Phew!  What  a  squeak!  I  was  clean 
out  of  my  depth.  A  mercy  the  Duke  chipped  in  again. 

MRS.  H.  [Looking  at  ROLF  and  CHLOE,  who  are 
standing  up  as  if  about  to  go]  Take  care;  they  can  hear 
you.  Find  Dawker,  Jack. 

Below,  the  AUCTIONEER  and  SOLICITOR  take  up 

their  papers,  and  move  out  Left. 
HILLCRIST  stretches  himself,  standing  up,  as 


sc.  i  THE  SKIN  GAME  55 

if  to  throw  off  the  strain.  The  door  behind 
is  opened,  and  HORNBLOWEB  appears. 

HORNBLOWEB.  Ye  ran  me  up  a  pretty  price.  Ye 
bid  very  pluckily,  Hillcrist.  But  ye  didn't  quite  get 
my  measure. 

HILLCBIST.  Oh !  It  was  my  nine  thousand  the  Duke 
capped.  Thank  God,  the  Gentry's  gone  to  a  gentle- 
man ! 

HOBNBLOWEB.  The  Duke  ?  [He  laughs]  No,  the  Gen- 
try's not  gone  to  a  gentleman,  nor  to  a  fool.  It's  gone 
to  me. 

HILLCEIST.  What! 

HOBNBLOWEB.  I'm  sorry  for  ye;  ye're  not  fit  to 
manage  these  things.  Well,  it's  a  monstrous  price, 
and  I've  had  to  pay  it  because  of  your  obstinacy.  I 
shan't  forget  that  when  I  come  to  build. 

HILLCBIST.  D'you  mean  to  say  that  bid  was  for 
you? 

HORNBLOWER.  Of  course  I  do.  I  told  ye  I  was  a 
bad  man  to  be  up  against.  Perhaps  ye'll  believe  me 
now. 

HILLCRIST.  A  dastardly  trick! 

HOBNBLOWEB.  [With  venom]  What  did  ye  call  it — a 
skin  game?  Remember  we're  playin'  a  skin  game, 
Hillcrist. 

HILLCEIST.  [Clenching  his  fists]  If  we  were  younger 
men — 

HOBNBLOWEB.  Ay!  'Twouldn't  look  pretty  for  us 
to  be  at  fisticuffs.  We'll  leave  the  fightin'  to  the  young 
ones.  [He  glances  at  ROLF  and  JILL;  suddenly  throwing 


56  THE  SKIN  GAME  ACT  n 

out  his  finger  at  ROLF]  No  makin'  up  to  that  young 
woman !  I've  watched  ye.  And  as  for  you,  missy, 
you  leave  my  boy  alone. 

JILL.  [With  suppressed  passion]  Dodo,  may  I  spit  in 
his  eye  or  something  ? 

HILLCRIST.  Sit  down. 

JILL  sits  down.    He  stands  between  her  and 

HORNBLOWER. 

You've  won  this  round,  sir,  by  a  foul  blow.  We  shall 
see  whether  you  can  take  any  advantage  of  it.  I  be- 
lieve the  law  can  stop  you  ruining  my  property. 

HORNBLOWER.  Make  your  mind  easy;  it  can't.  I've 
got  ye  in  a  noose,  and  I'm  goin'  to  hang  ye. 

MRS.  H.  [Suddenly]  Mr.  Hornblower,  as  you  fight 
foul — so  shall  we. 

HILLCRIST.  Amy ! 

MRS.  H.  [Paying  no  attention]  And  it  will  not  be 
foul  play  towards  you  and  yours.  You  are  outside 
the  pale. 

HORNBLOWER.  That's  just  where  I  am,  outside  your 
pale  all  round  ye.  Ye're  not  long  for  Deepwater, 
ma'am.  Make  your  dispositions  to  go;  ye'll  be  out  in 
six  months,  I  prophesy.  And  good  riddance  to  the 
neighbourhood.  [They  are  all  down  on  tfte  level  now. 

CHLOE.  [Suddenly  coming  closer  to  MRS.  HILLCRIST] 
Here  are  your  salts,  thank  you.  Father,  can't  you —  ? 

HORNBLOWER.  [Surprised]  Can't  I  what? 

CHLOE.  Can't  you  come  to  an  arrangement? 

MRS.  H.  Just  so,  Mr.  Hornblower.    Can't  you? 

HORNBLOWER.  [Looking  from  one  to  the  other]  As 


sc.  i  THE  SKIN  GAME  57 

we're  speakin'  out,  ma'am,  it's  your  behaviour  to  my 
daughter-in-law — who's  as  good  as  you — and  better, 
to  my  thinking — that's  more  than  half  the  reason  why 
I've  bought  this  property.  Ye've  fair  got  my  dander 
up.  Now  it's  no  use  to  bandy  words.  It's  very  for- 
givin'  of  ye,  Chloe,  but  come  along ! 

MRS.  H.  Quite  seriously,  Mr.  Hornblower,  you  had 
better  come  to  an  arrangement. 

HORNBLOWER.  Mrs.  Hillcrist,  ladies  should  keep  to 
their  own  business. 

MRS.  H.  I  will. 

HILLCRIST.  Amy,  do  leave  it  to  us  men.  You  young 
man  [He  speaks  to  ROLF]  do  you  support  your  father's 
trick  this  afternoon  ? 

JILL  looks  round  at  ROLF,  who  tries  to  speak, 
when  HORNBLOWER  breaks  in. 

HORNBLOWER.  My  trick?  And  what  d'ye  call  it, 
to  try  and  put  me  own  son  against  me? 

JILL.  [To  ROLF]  Well? 

ROLF.  I  don't,  but 

HORNBLOWER.  Trick?  Ye  young  cub,  be  quiet. 
Mr.  Hillcrist  had  an  agent  bid  for  him — I  had  an  agent 
bid  for  me.  Only  his  agent  bid  at  the  beginnin',  an' 
mine  bid  at  the  end.  What's  the  trick  in  that? 

[He  laughs. 

HILLCRIST.  Hopeless;  we're  in  different  worlds. 

HORNBLOWER.  I  wish  to  God  we  were !  Come  you, 
Chloe.  And  you,  Rolf,  you  follow.  In  six  months  I'll 
have  those  chimneys  up,  and  me  lorries  runnin* 
round  ye. 


58  THE  SKIN  GAME  ACT  n 

MRS.  H.  Mr.  Hornblower,  if  you  build 

HORNBLOWER.  [Looking  at  MRS.  HILLCRIST]  Ye 
know — it's  laughable.  Ye  make  me  pay  nine  thou- 
sand five  hundred  for  a  bit  o'  land  not  worth  four,  and 
ye  think  I'm  not  to  get  back  on  ye.  I'm  goin'  on  with 
as  little  consideration  as  if  ye  were  a  family  of  black- 
beetles.  Good  afternoon! 
ROLF.  Father! 

JILL.  Oh,  Dodo !    He's  obscene. 
HILLCRIST.  Mr.  Hornblower,  my  compliments. 

HORNBLOWER,   with  a  stare  at  HILLCRIST'S 
half-smiling  face,  takes  CHLOE'S  arm,  and 
half  drags  her  towards  the  door  on  the  Left. 
But  there,  in  the  opened  doorway,  are  stand- 
ing DAWKER  and  a  STRANGER.     They  move 
just  out  of  the  way  of  the  exit,  looking  at 
CHLOE,  who  sways  and  very  nearly  falls. 
HORNBLOWER.  Why!  Chloe!    What's  the  matter? 
CHLOE.  I  don't  know;  I'm  not  well  to-day. 

[She  pulls  herself  together  with  a  great  effort. 
MRS.  H.  [Who  has  exchanged  a  nod  with  DAWKER 
and  the  STRANGER]  Mr.  Hornblower,  you  build  at  your 
peril.     I  warn  you. 

HORNBLOWER.  [Turning  round  to  speak]  Ye  think 
yourself  very  cool  and  very  smart.  But  I  doubt  this 
is  the  first  time  ye've  been  up  against  realities.  Now, 
I've  been  up  against  them  all  my  life.  Don't  talk  to 
me,  ma'am,  about  peril  and  that  sort  of  nonsense;  it 
makes  no  impression.  Your  husband  called  me  pachy- 
dermatous. I  don't  know  Greek,  and  Latin,  and  all 


sc.  i  THE  SKIN  GAME  59 

that,  but  I've  looked  it  out  in  the  dictionary,  and  I 
find  it  means  thick-skinned.  And  I'm  none  the  worse 
for  that  when  I  have  to  deal  with  folk  like  you.  Good 
afternoon. 

He  draws  CHLOE  forward,  and  they  pass  through 
the  door,  followed  quickly  by  ROLF. 

MRS.  H.  Thank  you,  Dawker. 

She  moves  up  to  DAWKER  and  the  STRANGER, 
Left,  and  they  talk. 

JILL.  Dodo !  It's  awful ! 

HILLCRIST.  Well,  there's  nothing  for  it  now  but  to 
smile  and  pay  up.  Poor  old  home!  It  shall  be  his 
wash-pot.  Over  the  Gentry  will  he  cast  his  shoe.  By 
Gad,  Jill,  I  could  cry ! 

JILL.  [Pointing]  Look !  Chloe's  sitting  down.  She 
nearly  fainted  just  now.  It's  something  to  do  with 
Dawker,  Dodo,  and  that  man  with  him.  Look  at 
mother !  Ask  them ! 

HILLCHIST.  Dawker! 

DAWKER  comes  to  him,  followed  by  MRS.  HILL- 
CRIST. 
What's  the  mystery  about  young  Mrs.  Hornblower  ? 

DAWKER.  No  mystery. 

HILLCRIST.  Well,  what  is  it? 

MRS.  H.  You'd  better  not  ask. 

HILLCRIST.  I  wish  to  know. 

MRS.  H.  Jill,  go  out  and  wait  for  us. 

JILL.  Nonsense,  mother ! 

MRS.  H.  It's  not  for  a  girl  to  hear. 

JILL.  Bosh !    I  read  the  papers  every  day. 


60  THE  SKIN  GAME  ACT  n 

DAWKER.  It's  nothin'  worse  than  you  get  there,  any- 
way. 

MRS.  H.  Do  you  wish  your  daughter — 

JILL,.  It's  ridiculous,  Dodo;  you'd  think  I  was  mother 
at  my  age. 

MRS.  H.  I  was  not  so  proud  of  my  knowledge. 

JILL.  No,  but  you  had  it,  dear. 

HILLCRIST.  What  is   it — what   is   it?    Come   over 
here,  Dawker. 

DAWKER  goes  to  him,  Right,  and  speaks  in  a 

low  voice. 

What !  [Again  DAWKER  speaks  in  a  low  voice. 

Good  God ! 

MRS.  H.  Exactly! 

JILL.  Poor  thing — whatever  it  is ! 

MRS.  H.  Poor  thing  ? 

JILL.  What  went  before,  mother? 

MRS.  H.  It's   what's   coming   after   that   matters, 
luckily. 

HILLCRIST.  How  do  you  know  this? 

DAWKER.  My  friend  here  [He  points  to  the  STRANGER] 
was  one  of  the  agents. 

HILLCRIST.  It's  shocking.    I'm  sorry  I  heard  it. 

MRS.  H.  I  told  you  not  to. 

HILLCRIST.  Ask  your  friend  to  come  here. 

DAWKER  beckons,  and  the  STRANGER  joins  the 

group. 
Are  you  sure  of  what  you've  said,  sir  ? 

STRANGER.  Perfectly.    I  remember  her  quite  well; 
her  name  then  was 

HILLCRIST.  I  don't  want  to  know,  thank  you.    I'm 


sc.  i  THE  SKIN  GAME  61 

truly  sorry.  I  wouldn't  wish  the  knowledge  of  that 
about  his  womenfolk  to  my  worst  enemy.  This  mustn't 
be  spoken  of.  [JiLL  hugs  his  arm. 

MRS.  H.  It  will  not  be  if  Mr.  Hornblower  is  wise. 
If  he  is  not  wise,  it  must  be  spoken  of. 

HILLCRIST.  I  say  no,  Amy.  I  won't  have  it.  It's 
a  dirty  weapon.  Who  touches  pitch  shall  be  defiled. 

MRS.  H.  Well,  what  weapons  does  he  use  against 
us?  Don't  be  quixotic.  For  all  we  can  tell,  they 
know  it  quite  well  already,  and  if  they  don't  they 
ought  to.  Anyway,  to  know  this  is  our  salvation,  and 
we  must  use  it. 

JILL.  [Sottovoce]  Pitch!    Dodo!    Pitch! 

DAWKER.  The  threat's  enough!  J.P. — Chapel — 
Future  member  for  the  constituency 

HILLCRIST.  [A  little  more  doubtfully]  To  use  a  piece 
of  knowledge  about  a  woman — it's  repugnant.  I — I 
won't  do  it. 

MRS.  H.  If  you  had  a  son  tricked  into  marrying 
such  a  woman,  would  you  wish  to  remain  ignorant  of 
it? 

HILLCHIST.  [Struck]  I  don't  know — I  don't  know. 

MRS.  H.  At  least  you'd  like  to  be  in  a  position  to 
help  him,  if  you  thought  it  necessary  ? 

HILLCRIST.  Well — that — perhaps. 

MRS.  H.  Then  you  agree  that  Mr.  Hornblower  at 
least  should  be  told.  What  he  does  with  the  knowledge 
is  not  our  affair. 

HILLCHIST.  [Half  to  the  STRANGER  and  half  to  DAW- 
KER] Do  you  realise  that  an  imputation  of  that  kind 
may  be  ground  for  a  criminal  libel  action? 


62  THE  SKIN  GAME  ACT  n 

STRANGER.  Quite.  But  there's  no  shadow  of  doubt; 
not  the  faintest.  You  saw  her  just  now  ? 

HILLCRIST.  I  did.  [Revolting  again]  No;  I  don't  like 
it. 

DAWKER  has  drawn  the  STRANGER  a  step  or 
two  away,  and  they  talk  together. 

MRS.  H.  [In  a  low  voice]  And  the  ruin  of  our  home  ? 
You're  betraying  your  fathers,  Jack. 

HILLCRIST.  I  can't  bear  bringing  a  woman  into  it. 

MRS.  H.  We  don't.  If  anyone  brings  her  in,  it  will 
be  Hornblower  himself. 

HILLCRIST.  We  use  her  secret  as  a  lever. 

MRS.  H.  I  tell  you  quite  plainly:  I  will  only  con- 
sent to  holding  my  tongue  about  her,  if  you  agree  to 
Hornblower  being  told.  It's  a  scandal  to  have  a 
woman  like  that  in  the  neighbourhood. 

JILL.  Mother  means  that,  father. 

HILLCRIST.  Jill,  keep  quiet.  This  is  a  very  bitter 
position.  I  can't  tell  what  to  do. 

MRS.  H.  You  must  use  this  knowledge.  You  owe 
it  to  me — to  us  all.  You'll  see  that  when  you've 
thought  it  over. 

JILL.  [So/%]  Pitch,  Dodo,  pitch ! 

MRS.  H.  [Furiously]  Jill,  be  quiet ! 

HILLCRIST.  I  was  brought  up  never  to  hurt  a  woman. 
I  can't  do  it,  Amy — I  can't  do  it.  I  should  never  feel 
like  a  gentleman  again. 

MRS.  H.  [Coldly]  Oh !  Very  well. 

HILLCRIST.  What  d'you  mean  by  that? 

MRS.  H.  I  shall  use  the  knowledge  in  my  own  way. 


so.  i  THE  SKIN  GAME  63 

HILLCRIST.  [Staring  at  her]  You  would — against  my 
wishes  ? 

MRS.  H.  I  consider  it  my  duty. 

HILLCRIST.  If  I  agree  to  Hornblower  being  told 

MRS.  H.  That's  all  I  want. 

HILLCRIST.  It's  the  utmost  I'll  consent  to,  Amy;  and 
don't  let's  have  any  humbug  about  its  being  morally 
necessary.  We  do  it  to  save  our  skins. 

MRS.  H.  I  don't  know  what  you  mean  by  humbug  ? 

JILL.  He  means  humbug,  mother. 

HILLCRIST.  It  must  stop  at  old  Hornblower.  Do 
you  quite  understand  ? 

MRS.  H.  Quite. 

JILL.  Will  it  stop  ? 

MRS.  H.  Jill,  if  you  can't  keep  your  impertinence 
to  yourself 

HILLCRIST.  Jill,  come  with  me. 

[He  turns  towards  door,  Back. 

JILL.  I'm  sorry,  mother.  Only  it  is  a  skin  game, 
isn't  it  ? 

MRS.  H.  You  pride  youself  on  plain  speech,  Jill. 
I  pride  myself  on  plain  thought.  You  will  thank  me 
afterwards  that  I  can  see  realities.  I  know  we  are  bet- 
ter people  than  these  Hornblowers.  Here  we  are  going 
to  stay,  and  they — are  not. 

JILL.  [Looking  at  her  with  a  sort  of  unwilling  admira- 
tion] Mother,  you're  wonderful ! 

HILLCRIST.  Jill! 

JILL.  Coming,  Dodo. 

She  turns  and  runs  to  the  door.     They  go  out. 


64  THE  SKIN  GAME  ACT  n 

MBS.  HILLCKIST,  with  a  long  sigh,  draws 
herself  up,  fine  and  proud. 

MRS.  H.  Dawker !  [He  comes  to  her. 

I  shall  send  him  a  note  to-night,  and  word  it  so  that 
he  will  be  bound  to  come  and  see  us  to-morrow  morn- 
ing. Will  you  be  in  the  study  just  before  eleven 
o'clock,  with  this  gentleman  ? 

DAWKER.  [Nodding]  We're   going   to   wire   for   his 
partner.    I'll  bring  him  too.    Can't  make  too  sure. 
[She  goes  firmly  up  the  steps  and  out. 

DAWKER.  [To  the  STRANGER,  with  a  wink]  The 
Squire's  squeamish — too  much  of  a  gentleman.  But 
he  don't  count.  The  grey  mare's  all  right.  You 
wire  to  Henry.  I'm  off  to  our  solicitors.  We'll  make 
that  old  rhinoceros  sell  us  back  the  Gentry  at  a  decent 
price.  These  Hornblowers — [Laying  his  finger  on  his 
nose]  We've  got  'em ! 

CURTAIN 


SCENE  H 

CHLOE'S  boudoir  at  half-past  seven  the  same  evening.  A 
pretty  room.  No  pictures  on  the  walls,  but  two 
mirrors.  A  screen  and  a  luxurious  couch  on  the 
fireplace  side,  stage  Left.  A  door  rather  Right  of 
Centre  Back,  opening  inwards.  A  French  window, 
Right  forward.  A  writing  table,  Right  Back.  Elec- 
tric light  burning. 

CHLOE,  in  a  tea-gown,  is  standing  by  the  forward  end 
of  the  sofa,  very  still,  and  very  pale.  Her  lips  are 
parted,  and  her  large  eyes  stare  straight  before  them 
as  if  seeing  ghosts.  The  door  is  opened  noiselessly 
and  a  WOMAN'S  face  is  seen.  It  peers  at  CHLOE, 
vanishes,  and  the  door  is  closed.  CHLOE  raises  her 
hands,  covers  her  eyes  with  them,  drops  them  with  a 
quick  gesture,  and  looks  round  her.  A  knock.  With 
a  swift  movement  she  slides  on  to  the  sofa,  and  lies 
prostrate,  with  eyes  closed. 

CHLOE.  [Feebly]  Come  in ! 

Her  MAID  enters  ;  a  trim,  contained  figure  of 
uncertain  years,  in  a  black  dress,  with  the 
face  which  was  peering  in. 
Yes,  Anna  ? 

ANNA.  Aren't  you  going  in  to  dinner,  ma'am  ? 
CHLOE.  [With  closed  eyes]  No. 
67 


68  THE  SKIN  GAME  ACT  n 

ANNA.  Will  you  take  anything  here,  ma'am? 

CHLOE.  I'd  like  a  biscuit  and  a  glass  of  champagne. 
The  MAID,  who  is  standing  between  sofa  and 
door,   smiles.    CHLOE,   with   a   swift   look, 
catches  the  smile. 
Why  do  you  smile  ? 

ANNA.  Was  I,  ma'am? 

CHLOE.  You  know  you  were.  [Fiercely]  Are  you  paid 
to  smile  at  me? 

ANNA.  [Immovable]  No,  ma'am.  Would  you  like 
some  eau  de  Cologne  on  your  forehead  ? 

CHLOE.  Yes. — No. — What's  the  good  ?  [Clasping  her 
forehead]  My  headache  won't  go. 

ANNA.  To  keep  lying  down's  the  best  thing  for  it. 

CHLOE.  I  have  been — hours. 

ANNA.  [With  the  smile]  Yes,  ma'am. 

CHLOE.  [Gathering  herself  up  on  the  sofa]  Anna! 
Why  do  you  do  it? 

ANNA.  Do  what,  ma'am  ? 

CHLOE.  Spy  on  me. 

ANNA.  I — never!    I ! 

CHLOE.  To  spy !  You're  a  fool,  too.  What  is  there 
to  spy  on  ? 

ANNA.  Nothing,  ma'am.  Of  course,  if  you're  not 
satisfied  with  me,  I  must  give  notice.  Only — if  I  were 
spying,  I  should  expect  to  have  notice  given  me.  I've 
been  accustomed  to  ladies  who  wouldn't  stand  such  a 
thing  for  a  minute. 

CHLOE.  [Intently]  Well,  you'll  take  a  month's  wages 
and  go  to-morrow.  And  that's  all,  now. 

[ANNA  inclines  her  head  and  goes  out. 


sc.  ii  THE  SKIN  GAME  69 

CHLOE,  with  a  sort  of  moan,  turns  over  and 

buries  her  face  in  the  cushion. 

CHLOE.  [Sitting  up]  If  I  could  see  that  man — if  only 
Dawker 


She  springs  up  and  goes  to  the  door,  but  hesi- 
tates, and  comes  back  to  the  head  of  the  sofa, 
as  ROLF  comes  in.  During  this  scene  the 
door  is  again  opened  stealthily,  an  inch  or 
two. 

ROLF.  How's  the  head  ? 

CHLOE.  Beastly,  thanks.    I'm  not  going  in  to  dinner. 

ROLF.  Is  there  anything  I  can  do  for  you  ? 

CHLOE.  No,  dear  boy.  [Suddenly  looking  at  him] 
You  don't  want  this  quarrel  with  the  Hillcrists  to  go 
on,  do  you,  Rolf  ? 

ROLF.  No;  I  hate  it. 

CHLOE.  Well,  I  think  I  might  be  able  to  stop  it.  Will 
you  slip  round  to  Dawker's — it's  not  five  minutes — 
and  ask  him  to  come  and  see  me. 

ROLF.  Father  and  Charlie  wouldn't 

CHLOE.  I  know.  But  if  he  comes  to  the  window 
here  while  you're  at  dinner,  I'll  let  him  in,  and  out, 
and  nobody'd  know. 

ROLF.  [Astonished]  Yes,  but  what — I  mean  how 

CHLOE.  Don't  ask  me.  It's  worth  the  shot — that's 
all.  [Looking  at  her  wrist-watch}  To  this  window  at 
eight  o'clock  exactly.  First  long  window  on  the  ter- 
race, tell  him. 

ROLF.  It's  nothing  Charlie  would  mind? 

CHLOE.  No;  only  I  can't  tell  him — he  and  father  are 
so  mad  about  it  all. 


70  THE  SKIN  GAME  ACT  n 

ROLF.  If  there's  a  real  chance 

CHLOE.  [Going  to  the  window  and  opening  it]  This 
way,  Rolf.  If  you  don't  come  back  I  shall  know  he's 
coming.  Put  your  watch  by  mine.  [Looking  at  his 
watch]  It's  a  minute  fast,  see ! 

ROLF.  Look  here,  Chloe 

CHLOE.  Don't  wait;  go  on. 

She  almost  pushes  him  out  through  the  window, 
closes  it  after  him,  draws  the  curtains  again, 
stands  a  minute,  thinking  hard  ;  goes  to  the 
bett  and  rings  it  ;  then,  crossing  to  the  writing 
table,  Right  Back,  she  takes  out  a  chemist's 
prescription. 

[ANNA  comes  in. 

CHLOE.  I  don't  want  that  champagne.     Take  this 
to  the  chemist  and  get  him  to  make  up  some  of  these 
cachets  quick,  and  bring  them  back  yourself. 
ANNA.  Yes,  ma'am;  but  you  have  some. 
CHLOE.  They're    too    old;    I've    taken    two — the 
strength's  out  of  them.     Quick,  please;  I  can't  stand 
this  head. 

ANNA.  [Taking  the  prescription — with  her  smile]  Yes, 

ma'am.     It'll  take  some  time — you  don't  want  me? 

CHLOE.  No;  I  want  the  cachets.          [ANNA  goes  out. 

CHLOE  looks  at  her  wrist-watch,  goes  to  the 

writing-table,  which  is  old-fashioned,  with  a 

secret  drawer,  looks  round  her,  dives  at  the 

secret  drawer,  takes  out  a  roll  of  notes  and  a 

tissue  paper  parcel.     She  counts  the  notes: 

"  Three  hundred."    Slips  them  into  her  breast 


sc.  ii  THE  SKIN  GAME  71 

and  unwraps  the  little  parcel.  It  contains 
pearls.  She  slips  them,  too,  into  her  dress, 
looks  round  startled,  replaces  the  drawer,  and 
regains  her  place  on  the  sofa,  lying  prostrate 
as  the  door  opens,  and  HORNBLOWER  comes 
in.  She  does  not  open  her  eyes,  and  he 
stands  looking  at  her  a  moment  before  speak- 
ing. 

HORNBLOWER.  [Almost  softly]  How  are  ye  feelin', 
Chloe? 

CHLOE.  Awful  head ! 

HORNBLOWER.  Can  ye  attend  a  moment  ?  I've  had 
a  note  from  that  woman.  [CHLOE  sits  up. 

HORNBLOWER.  [Reading]  "I  have  something  of  the 
utmost  importance  to  tell  you  in  regard  to  your  daugh- 
ter-in-law. I  shall  be  waiting  to  see  you  at  eleven 
o'clock  to-morrow  morning.  The  matter  is  so  utterly 
vital  to  the  happiness  of  all  your  family,  that  I  cannot 
imagine  you  will  fail  to  come."  Now,  what's  the 
meaning  of  it?  Is  it  sheer  impudence,  or  lunacy,  or 
what? 

CHLOE.  I  don't  know. 

HORNBLOWER.  [Not  unkindly]  Chloe,  if  there's  any- 
thing— ye'd  better  tell  me.     Forewarned 's  forearmed. 
CHLOE.  There's  nothing;  unless  it's — [With  a  quick 
look  at  him] — Unless  it's  that  my  father  was  a — a 
bankrupt. 

HORNBLOWER.  Hech!    Many  a  man's  been  that. 
Ye've  never  told  us  much  about  your  family. 
CHLOE.  I  wasn't  very  proud  of  him. 


72  THE  SKIN  GAME  ACT  11 

HORNBLOWER.  Well,  ye're  not  responsible  for  your 
father.  If  that's  all,  it's  a  relief.  The  bitter  snobs! 
I'll  remember  it  in  the  account  I've  got  with  them. 

CHLOE.  Father,  don't  say  anything  to  Charlie;  it'll 
only  worry  him  for  nothing. 

HORNBLOWER.  Na,  no,  I'll  not.  If  Z  went  bankrupt, 
it'd  upset  Chearlie,  I've  not  a  doubt.  [He  laughs. 
Looking  at  her  shrewdly}  There's  nothing  else,  before  I 
answer  her?  [CHLOE  shakes  her  head. 

Ye're  sure  ? 

CHLOE.  [With  an  effort]  She  may  invent  things,  of 
course. 

HORNBLOWER.  [Lost  in  his  feud  feeling]  Ah !  but 
there's  such  a  thing  as  the  laws  o'  slander.  If  they 
play  pranks,  I'll  have  them  up  for  it. 

CHLOE.  [Timidly]  Couldn't  you  stop  this  quarrel, 
father  ?  You  said  it  was  on  my  account.  But  /  don't 
want  to  know  them.  And  they  do  love  their  old  home. 
I  like  the  girl.  You  don't  really  need  to  build  just 
there,  do  you  ?  Couldn't  you  stop  it  ?  Do ! 

HORNBLOWER.  Stop  it?  Now  I've  bought?  Na, 
no!  The  snobs  defied  me,  and  I'm  going  to  show 
them.  I  hate  the  lot  of  them,  and  I  hate  that  little 
Dawker  worst  of  all. 

CHLOE.  He's  only  their  agent. 

HOHNBLOWER.  He's  a  part  of  the  whole  dog-in-the- 
manger  system  that  stands  in  my  way.  Ye're  a  woman, 
and  ye  don't  understand  these  things.  Ye  wouldn't 
believe  the  struggle  I've  had  to  make  my  money  and 
get  my  position.  These  county  folk  talk  soft  sawder, 


sc.  ii  THE  SKIN  GAME  73 

but  to  get  anything  from  them's  like  gettin'  butter  out 
of  a  dog's  mouth.  If  they  could  drive  me  out  of  here 
by  fair  means  or  foul,  would  they  hesitate  a  moment? 
Not  they !  See  what  they've  made  me  pay;  and  look 
at  this  letter.  Selfish,  mean  lot  o'  hypocrites ! 
CHLOE.  But  they  didn't  begin  the  quarrel. 
HORNBLOWER.  Not  openly;  but  underneath  they  did 
— that's  their  way.  They  began  it  by  thwartin'  me 
here  and  there  and  everywhere,  just  because  I've 
come  into  me  own  a  bit  later  than  they  did.  I  gave 
'em  their  chance,  and  they  wouldn't  take  it.  Well, 
I'll  show  'em  what  a  man  like  me  can  do  when  he  sets 
his  mind  to  it.  I'll  not  leave  much  skin  on  them. 

In  the  intensity  of  his  feeling  he  has  lost  sight 
of  her  face,  alive  with  a  sort  of  agony  of  doubt, 
whether  to  plead  with  him  further,  or  what  to 
do.  Then,  with  a  swift  glance  at  her  wrist- 
watch,  she  falls  back  on  the  sofa  and  closes 
her  eyes. 

It'll  give  me  a  power  of  enjoyment  seein'  me  chimneys 
go  up  in  front  of  their  windies.  That  was  a  bonnie 
thought — that  last  bid  o'  mine.  He'd  got  that  roused 
up,  I  believe  he  never  would  a'  stopped.  [Looking  at 
her]  I  forgot  your  head.  Well,  well,  ye'll  be  best  fyin' 
quiet.  [The  gong  sounds. 

Shall  we  send  ye  something  in  from  dinner  ? 

CHLOE.  No;  I'll  try  to  sleep.    Please  tell  them  I 
don't  want  to  be  disturbed. 

HORNBLOWEB.  All  right.    I'll  just  answer  this  note. 
[He  sits  down  at  her  writing-table. 


74  THE  SKIN  GAME  ACT  n 

CHLOE  starts  up  from  the  sofa  feverishly,  look- 
ing at  her  watch,  at  the  window,  at  her  watch  ; 
then  softly  crosses  to  the  window  and  opens  it. 
HOBNBLOWER.  [Finishing]  Listen!  [He  turns  round 
towards  the  sofa]  Hallo !    Where  are  ye  ? 
CHLOE.  [At  the  window]  It's  so  hot. 
HORNBLOWER.  Here's  what  I've  said: 

"MADAM, — You  can  tell  me  nothing  of  my  daugh- 
ter-in-law which  can  affect  the  happiness  of 
my  family.  I  regard  your  note  as  an  imper- 
tinence, and  I  shall  not  be  with  you  at  eleven 
o'clock  to-morrow  morning. 

"Yours  truly " 

CHLOE.  [With  a  suffering  movement  of  her  head]  Oh ! 

— Well ! [The  gong  is  touched  a  second  time. 

HORNBLOWER.  [Crossing  to  the  door]  Lie  ye  down, 
and  get  a  sleep.    I'll  tell  them  not  to  disturb  ye;  and 
I  hope  ye'll  be  all  right  to-morrow.    Good-night,  Chloe. 
CHLOE.  Good-night.  [He  goes  out. 

After  a  feverish  turn  or  two,  CHLOE  returns  to 
the  open  window  and  waits  there,  half  screened 
by  the  curtains.  The  door  is  opened  inch 
by  inch,  and  ANNA'S  head  peers  round.  See- 
ing where  CHLOE  is,  she  slips  in  and  passes 
behind  the  screen,  Left.  Suddenly  CHLOE 
backs  in  from  the  window. 
CHLOE.  [In  a  low  voice]  Come  in. 

[She  darts  to  the  door  and  locks  it. 


so.  ii  THE  SKIN  GAME  75 

DAWKER  has  come  in  through  the  window  and 

stands  regarding  her  with  a  half  smile. 
DAWKER.  Well,  young  woman,  what  do  you  want 
of  me  ? 

In  the  presence  of  this  man  of  her  own  class, 
there  comes  a  distinct  change  in  CHLOE'S 
voice  and  manner  ;  a  sort  of  frank  common- 
ness, adapted  to  the  man  she  is  dealing  with, 
but  she  keeps  her  voice  low. 
CHLOE.  You're  making  a  mistake,  you  know. 
DAWKER.  [With  a  broad  grin]  No.    I've  got  a  mem- 
ory for  faces. 
CHLOE.  I  say  you  are. 

DAWKER.  [Turning  to  go]  If  that's  all,  you  needn't 
'ave  troubled  me  to  come. 

CHLOE.  No.    Don't  go !  [With  a  faint  smile]  You  are 
playing  a  game  with  me.    Aren't  you  ashamed  ?    What 
harm  have  I  done  you  ?     Do  you  call  this  cricket  ? 
DAWKER.  No,  my  girl — business. 
CHLOE.  [Bitterly]  What  have  I  to  do  with  this  quar- 
rel?    I  couldn't  help  their  falling  out. 
DAWKER.  That's  your  misfortune. 
CHLOE.  [Clasping  her  hands]  You're  a  cruel  fellow 
if  you  can  spoil  a  woman's  life  who  never  did  you  an 
ounce  of  harm. 

DAWKER.  So  they  don't  know  about  you.  That's  all 
right.  Now,  look  here,  I  serve  my  employer.  But 
I'm  flesh  and  blood,  too,  and  I  always  give  as  good  as 
I  get.  I  hate  this  family  of  yours.  There's  no  name 
too  bad  for  'em  to  call  me  this  last  month,  and  no 


76  THE  SKIN  GAME  ACT  H 

looks  too  black  to  give  me.    I  tell  you  frankly,  I  hate 
'em. 

CHLOE.  There's  good  in  them  same  as  in  you. 

DAWKER.  [With  a  grin]  There's  no  good  Hornblower 
but  a  dead  Hornblower. 

CHLOE.  But — but  I'm  not  one. 

DAWKER.  You'll  be  the  mother  of  some,  I  shouldn't 
wonder. 

CHLOE.  [Stretching  out  her  hand — pathetically]  Oh! 
leave  me  alone,  do!  I'm  happy  here.  Be  a  sport! 
Be  a  sport ! 

DAWKER.  [Disconcerted  for  a  second]  You  can't  get 
at  me,  so  don't  try  it  on. 

CHLOE.  I  had  such  a  bad  tune  in  old  days. 

DAWKER  shakes  his  head ;  his  grin  has  dis- 
appeared and  his  face  is  like  wood. 

CHLOE.  [Panting]  Ah!  do!  You  might!  You've 
been  fond  of  some  woman,  I  suppose.  Think  of  her ! 

DAWKER.  [Decisively]  It  won't  do,  Mrs.  Chloe. 
You're  a  pawn  hi  the  game,  and  I'm  going  to  use  you. 

CHLOE.  [Despairingly]  What  is  it  to  you?  [With  a 
sudden  touch  of  the  tigress]  Look  here!  Don't  you 
make  an  enemy  of  me.  I  haven't  dragged  through 
hell  for  nothing.  Women  like  me  can  bite,  I  tell 
you. 

DAWKER.  That's  better.  I'd  rather  have  a  woman 
threaten  than  whine,  any  day.  Threaten  away! 
You'll  let  'em  know  that  you  met  me  in  the  Prom- 
enade one  night.  Of  course  you'll  let  'em  know  that, 
won't  you? — or  that 


sc.  ii  THE  SKIN  GAME  7T 

CHLOE.  Be  quiet!  Oh!  Be  quiet!  [Taking from  her 
bosom  the  notes  and  the  pearls}  Look !  There's  my  sav- 
ings— there's  all  I've  got !  The  pearls'll  fetch  nearly 
a  thousand.  [Holding  it  out  to  him}  Take  it,  and  drop 
me  out — won't  you  ?  Won't  you  ? 

DAWKER.  [Passing  his  tongue  over  his  lips — wiih  a 
hard  little  laugh}  You  mistake  your  man,  missis.  I'm 
a  plain  dog,  if  you  like,  but  I'm  faithful,  and  I  hold  fast. 
Don't  try  those  games  on  me. 

CHLOE.  [Losing  control}  You're  a  beast ! — a  beast !  a 
cruel,  cowardly  beast !  And  how  dare  you  bribe  that 
woman  here  to  spy  on  me?  Oh!  yes,  you  do;  you 
know  you  do.  If  you  drove  me  mad,  you  wouldn't 
care.  You  beast ! 

DAWKER.  Now,  don't  carry  on!  That  won't  help 
you. 

CHLOE.  What  d'you  call  it — to  dog  a  woman  down 
like  this,  just  because  you  happen  to  have  a  quarrel 
with  a  man  ? 

DAWKEB.  Who  made  the  quarrel  ?  Not  me,  missis. 
You  ought  to  know  that  in  a  row  it's  the  weak  and 
helpless — we  won't  say  the  innocent — that  get  it  in 
the  neck.  That  can't  be  helped. 

CHLOE.  [Regarding  him  intently}  I  hope  your  mother 
or  your  sister,  if  you've  got  any,  may  go  through  what 
I'm  going  through  ever  since  you  got  on  my  track.  I 
hope  they'll  know  what  fear  means.  I  hope  they'll 
love  and  find  out  that  it's  hanging  on  a  thread,  and — 

and Oh!  you  coward,  you  persecuting  coward! 

Call  yourself  a  man ! 


78  THE  SKIN  GAME  ACT  n 

DAWKER.  [With  his  grin]  Ah!  You  look  quite  pretty 
like  that.  By  George!  you're  a  handsome  woman 
when  you're  roused. 

CHLOE'B  passion  fades  out  as  quickly  as  it 
blazed  up.  She  sinks  down  on  the  sofa, 
shudders,  looks  here  and  there,  and  then  for 
a  moment  up  at  him. 

CHLOE.  Is  there  anything  you'll  take,  not  to  spoil 
my  life  ?  [Clasping  her  hands  on  her  breast ;  under  her 
breath]  Me? 

DAWKER.  [Wiping  his  brow]  By  God!  That's  an 
offer.  [He  recoils  towards  the  window]  You — you  touched 
me  there.  Look  here!  I've  got  to  use  you  and  I'm 
going  to  use  you,  but  I'll  do  my  best  to  let  you  down 
as  easy  as  I  can.  No,  I  don't  want  anything  you  can 
give  me — that  is — [He  wipes  his  brow  again}  I'd  like  it 
— but  I  won't  take  it. 

[CHLOE  buries  her  face  in  her  hands. 

There !    Keep  your  pecker  up ;  don't  cry.     Good-night ! 

[He  goes  through  the  window. 

CHLOE.  [Springing  up]  Ugh !  Rat  in  a  trap !  Rat ! 

She  stands  listening  ;  flies  to  the  door,  unlocks 
it,  and,  going  back  to  the  sofa,  lies  down  and 
closes   her   eyes.     CHARLES   comes   in   very 
quietly  and  stands  over  her,  looking  to  see  if 
she  is  asleep.     She  opens  her  eyes. 
CHARLES.  Well,  Clo !    Had  a  sleep,  old  girl  ? 
CHLOE.  Ye — es. 

CHARLES.  [Sitting  on  the  arm  of  the  sofa  and  caressing 
her]  Feel  better,  dear  ? 

CHLOE.  Yes,  better,  Charlie. 


sc.  ii  THE  SKIN  GAME  79 

CHARLES.  That's  right.    Would  you  like  some  soup  ? 

CHLOE.  [With  a  shudder]  No. 

CHARLES.  I  say — what  gives  you  these  heads? 
You've  been  very  on  and  off  all  this  last  month. 

CHLOE.  I  don't  know.  Except  that — except  that  I 
am  going  to  have  a  child,  Charlie. 

CHARLES.  After  all!    By  Jove!    Sure? 

CHLOE.  [Nodding]  Are  you  glad? 

CHARLES.  Well — I  suppose  I  am.  The  guv'nor  will 
be  mighty  pleased,  anyway. 

CHLOE.  Don't  tell  him — yet. 

CHARLES.  All  right!  [Bending  over  and  drawing  her 
to  him}  My  poor  girl,  I'm  so  sorry  you're  seedy.  Give 
us  a  kiss. 

CHLOE  puts  up  her  face  and  kisses  him  pas- 
sionately. 
I  say,  you're  like  fire.    You're  not  feverish? 

CHLOE.  [With  a  laugh]  It's  a  wonder  if  I'm  not. 
Charlie,  are  you  happy  with  me? 

CHARLES.  What  do  you  think  ? 

CHLOE.  [Leaning  against  him]  You  wouldn't  easily 
believe  things  against  me,  would  you? 

CHARLES.  What!  Thinking  of  those  Hillcrists? 
What  the  hell  that  woman  means  by  her  attitude 

towards  you When  I  saw  her  there  to-day,  I  had 

all  my  work  cut  out  not  to  go  up  and  give  her  a  bit  of 
my  mind. 

CHLOE.  [Watching  him  stealthily]  It's  not  good  for 
me,  now  I'm  like  this.  It's  upsetting  me,  Charlie. 

CHARLES.  Yes;  and  we  won't  forget.  We'll  make 
'em  pay  for  it. 


80  THE  SKIN  GAME  ACT  n 

CHLOE.  It's  wretched  in  a  little  place  like  this.  I 
say,  must  you  go  on  spoiling  their  home  ? 

CHARLES.  The  woman  cuts  you  and  insults  you. 
That's  enough  for  me. 

CHLOE.  [Timidly]  Let  her.  7  don't  care;  I  can't 
bear  feeling  enemies  about,  Charlie,  I — get  nervoug — 
I 

CHARLES.  My  dear  girl!    What  is  it? 

[He  looks  at  her  intently. 

CHLOE.  I  suppose  it's — being  like  this.  [Suddenly] 
But,  Charlie,  do  stop  it  for  my  sake.  Do,  do ! 

CHARLES.  [Patting  her  arm]  Come,  come;  I  say, 
Chloe !  You're  making  mountains.  See  things  in  pro- 
portion. Father's  paid  nine  thousand  five  hundred  to 
get  the  better  of  those  people,  and  you  want  him  to 
chuck  it  away  to  save  a  woman  who's  insulted  you. 
That's  not  sense,  and  it's  not  business.  Have  some 
pride. 

CHLOE.  [Breathless]  I've  got  no  pride,  Charlie.  I 
want  to  be  quiet — that's  all. 

CHARLES.  Well,  if  the  row  gets  on  your  nerves,  I 
can  take  you  to  the  sea.  But  you  ought  to  enjoy  a 
fight  with  people  like  that. 

CHLOE.  [With  calculated  bitterness]  No,  it's  nothing, 
of  course — what  7  want. 

CHARLES.  Hallo !  Hallo !  You  are  on  the  jump ! 

CHLOE.  If  you  want  me  to  be  a  good  wife  to  you, 
make  father  stop  it. 

CHARLES.  [Standing  up]  Now,  look  here,  Chloe, 
what's  behind  this  ? 


sc.  ii  THE  SKIN  GAME  81 

CHLOE.  [Faintly]  Behind? 

CHARLES.  You're  carrying  on  as  if — as  if  you  were 
really  scared !  We've  got  these  people.  We'll  have 
them  out  of  Deepwater  in  six  months.  It's  absolute 
ruination  to  their  beastly  old  house;  we'll  put  the  chim- 
neys on  the  very  edge,  not  three  hundred  yards  off, 
and  our  smoke'll  be  drifting  over  them  half  the  time. 
You  won't  have  this  confounded  stuck-up  woman  here 
much  longer.  And  then  we  can  really  go  ahead  and 
take  our  proper  place.  So  long  as  she's  here,  we  shall 
never  do  that.  We've  only  to  drive  on  now  as  fast 
as  we  can. 

CHLOE.  [With  a  gesture]  I  see. 

CHARLES.  [Again  looking  at  her]  If  you  go  on  like 
this,  you  know,  I  shall  begin  to  think  there's  some- 
thing you 

CHLOE  [softly]  Charlie !  [He  comes  to  her. 

Love  me ! 

CHARLES.  [Embracing  her]  There,  old  girl !  I  know 
women  are  funny  at  these  times.  You  want  a  good 
night,  that's  all. 

CHLOE.  You  haven't  finished  dinner,  have  you? 
Go  back,  and  I'll  go  to  bed  quite  soon.  Charlie,  don't 
stop  loving  me. 

CHARLES.  Stop  ?    Not  much. 

While  he  is  again  embracing  her,  ANNA  steals 
from  behind  the  screen  to  the  door,  opens  it 
noiselessly,  and  passes  through,  but  it  click* 
as  she  shuts  it. 

CHLOE.  [Starting  violently]  Oh — h ! 


82  THE  SKIN  GAME  ACT  11 

CHARLES.  What  is  it  ?  What  is  it  ?  You  are  nervy, 
my  dear. 

CHLOE.  [Looking  round  with  a  little  laugh]  I  don't 
know.  Go  on,  Charlie.  I'll  be  all  right  when  this 
head's  gone. 

CHARLES.  [Stroking  her  forehead  and  looking  at  her 

doubtfully]  You  go  to  bed;  I  won't  be  late  coming  up. 

He  turns  and  goes,  blowing  a  kiss  from  the 

doorway.     When  he  is  gone,  CHLOE  gets  up 

and  stands  in  precisely  the  attitude  in  which 

she  stood  at  the  beginning  of  the  Act,  thinkir^g, 

and  thinking.     And  the  door  is  opened,  and 

the  face  of  the  MAID  peers  round  at  her. 

CUBTAIN 


ACT  III 


ACT   III 

SCENE  I 

MOKNINQ 

HILLCRIST'S  study  next  morning. 

JILL,  coming  from  Left,  looks  in  at  the  open 

French  window. 

JILL.  [Speaking  to  ROLF,  invisible]  Come  in  here. 
There's  no  one. 

She  goes  in.    ROLF  joins  her,  coming  from  the 

garden. 
ROLF.  Jill,  I  just  wanted  to  say — Need  we  ? 

[JILL  nods. 

Seeing  you  yesterday — it  did  seem  rotten. 
JILL.  We  didn't  begin  it. 
ROLF.  No;   but  you  don't  understand.     If  you'd 

made  yourself,  as  father  has 

JILL.  I  hope  I  should  be  sorry. 
ROLF.  [Reproachfully]  That  isn't  like  you.     Really 
he  can't  help  thinking  he's  a  public  benefactor. 
JILL.  And  we  can't  help  thinking  he's  a  pig.     Sorry ! 

ROLF.  If  the  survival  of  the  fittest  is  right 

JILL.  He  may  be  fitter,  but  he's  not  going  to  survive. 
ROLF.  [Distracted]  It  looks  like  it,  though. 
JILL.  Is  that  all  you  came  to  say? 
85 


86  THE  SKIN  GAME  ACT  in 

ROLF.  No.  Suppose  we  joined,  couldn't  we  stop  it? 

JILL.  I  don't  feel  like  joining. 

ROLT.  We  did  shake  hands. 

JILL.  One  can't  fight  and  not  grow  bitter. 

ROLF.  /  don't  feel  bitter. 

JILL.  Wait;  you'll  feel  it  soon  enough. 

ROLF.  Why?  [Attentively]  About  Chloe?  I  do  think 
your  mother's  manner  to  her  is 

JILL.  Well? 

ROLF.  Snobbish.  [JiLL  laughs. 

She  may  not  be  your  class;  and  that's  just  why  it's 
snobbish. 

JILL.  I  think  you'd  better  shut  up. 

ROLF.  What  my  father  said  was  true;  your  mother's 
rudeness  to  her  that  day  she  came  here,  has  made  both 
him  and  Charlie  ever  so  much  more  bitter. 

[JiLL  whistles  the  Habanera  from  "Carmen" 
[Staring  at  her,  rather  angrily]  Is  it  a  whistling  matter  ? 

JILL.  No. 

ROLF.  I  suppose  you  want  me  to  go  ? 

JILL.  Yes. 

ROLF.  All  right.  Aren't  we  ever  going  to  be  friends 
again? 

JILL.  [Looking  steadily  at  him]  I  don't  expect  so. 

ROLF.  That's  very — horrible. 

JILL.  Lots  of  horrible  things  in  the  world. 

ROLF.  It's  our  business  to  make  them  fewer,  Jill. 

JILL.  [Fiercely]  Don't  be  moral. 

ROLF.  [Hurt]  That's  the  last  thing  I  want  to  be.  I 
only  want  to  be  friendly. 


sc.  i  THE  SKIN  GAME  87 

JILL.  Better  be  real  first. 

ROLF.  From  the  big  point  of  view 

JILL.  There  isn't  any.  We're  all  out  for  our  own. 
And  why  not  ? 

ROLF.  By  jove,  you  have  got 

JILL.  Cynical?  Your  father's  motto — "Every  man 
for  himself."  That's  the  winner — hands  down.  Good- 
bye! 

ROLF.  Jill!    Jill! 

JILL.  [Putting  her  hands  behind  her  back,  hums] — 
"If  auld  acquaintance  be  forgot 

And  days  of  auld  lang  syne" 

ROLF.  Don't! 

With  a  pained  gesture  he  goes  out  towards  Left, 

through  the  French  window. 
JILL,  who  has  broken  off  the  song,  stands  with 
her  hands  clenched  and  her  lips  quivering. 

[FELLOWS  enters  Left, 

FELLOWS.  Mr.  Dawker,  Miss,  and  two  gentlemen. 
JILL.  Let  the  three  gentlemen  in,  and  me  out. 

[She  passes  him  and  goes  out  Left. 
And    immediately    DAWKER    and    the    Two 

STRANGERS  come  in. 

FELLOWS.  I'll  inform  Mrs.  Hillcrist,  sir.    The  Squire 

is  on  his  rounds.  [He  goes  out  Left. 

The  THREE  MEN  gather  in  a  discreet  knot  at 

the  big  bureau,  having  glanced  at  the  two 

doors  and  the  open  French  window. 

DAWKER.  Now   this   may   come   into   Court,    you 

know.    If  there's  a  screw  loose  anywhere,  better  men- 


88  THE  SKIN  GAME  ACT  in 

tion  it.  [To  SECOND  STRANGER]  You  knew  her  person- 
ally? 

SECOND  S.  What  do  you  think?  I  don't  take  girls 
on  trust  for  that  sort  of  job.  She  came  to  us  highly 
recommended,  too;  and  did  her  work  very  well.  It 
was  a  double  stunt — to  make  sure — wasn't  it,  George  ? 

FIRST  S.  Yes;  we  paid  her  for  the  two  visits. 

SECOND  S.  I  should  know  her  in  a  minute;  striking 
looking  girl;  had  something  in  her  face.  Daresay  she'd 
seen  hard  times. 

FIRST  S.  We  don't  want  publicity. 

DAWKER.  Not  likely.  The  threat'll  do  it;  but  the 
stakes  are  heavy — and  the  man's  a  slogger;  we  must 
be  able  to  push  it  home.  If  you  can  both  swear  to 
her,  it'll  do  the  trick. 

SECOND  S.  And  about — I  mean,  we're  losing  time, 
you  know,  coining  down  here. 

DAWKER.  [With  a  nod  at  FIRST  STRANGER]  George 
here  knows  me.  That'll  be  all  right.  I'll  guarantee  it 
well  worth  your  while. 

SECOND  S.  I  don't  want  to  do  the  girl  harm,  if  she's 
married. 

DAWKER.  No,  no;  nobody  wants  to  hurt  her.  We 
just  want  a  cinch  on  this  fellow  till  he  squeals. 

They  separate  a  little  as  MRS.  HILLCRIST  enters 
from  Right. 

DAWKER.  Good  morning,  ma'am.  My  friend's  part- 
ner. Hornblower  coming  ? 

MRS.  H.  At  eleven.  I  had  to  send  up  a  second 
note,  Dawker. 

DAWKER.  Squire  not  in  ? 


sc.  i  THE  SKIN  GAME  89 

MRS.  H.  I  haven't  told  him. 

DAWKER.  [Nodding]  Our  friends  might  go  in  here 
[Pointing  Right]  and  we  can  use  'em  as  we  want  'em. 

MRS.  H.  [To  the  STRANGERS]  Will  you  make  your- 
•elves  comfortable  ? 

She  holds  the  door  open,  and  they  pass  her  into 
the  room,  Right. 

DAWKER.  [Showing  document]  I've  had  this  drawn 
and  engrossed.  Pretty  sharp  work.  Conveys  the 
Gentry,  and  Longmeadow,  to  the  Squire  at  four  thou- 
sand five  hundred.  Now,  ma'am,  suppose  Hornblower 
puts  his  hand  to  that,  he'll  have  been  done  in  the  eye, 
and  six  thousand  all  told  out  o'  pocket.  You'll  have 
a  very  nasty  neighbour  here. 

MRS.  H.  But  we  shall  still  have  the  power  to  dis- 
close that  secret  at  any  time. 

DAWKER.  Yeh !  But  things  might  happen  here  you 
could  never  bring  home  to  him.  You  can't  trust  a 
man  like  that.  He  isn't  goin'  to  forgive  me,  I  know. 

MRS.  H.  [Regarding  him  keenly]  But  if  he  signs,  we 
couldn't  honourably 

DAWKER.  No,  ma'am,  you  couldn't;  and  I'm  sure  J 
don't  want  to  do  that  girl  a  hurt.  I  just  mention  it 
because,  of  course,  you  can't  guarantee  that  it  doesn't 
get  out. 

MRS.  H.  Not  absolutely,  I  suppose. 

A  look  passes  between  them,  which  neither  of 

them  has  quite  sanctioned. 

There's  his  car.    It  always  seems  to  make  more  noise 
than  any  other. 

DAWKER.  He'll  kick  and  flounder — but  you  leave 


90  THE  SKIN  GAME  ACT  in 

him  to  ask  what  you  want,  ma'am;  don't  mention  this 

[He  puts  the  deed  back  into  his  pocket].     The  Gentry's 

no  mortal  good  to  him  if  he's  not  going  to  put  up 

works;  I  should  say  he'd  be  glad  to  save  what  he  can. 

MBS.  HILLCHIST  inclines  her  head.     FELLOWS 

enters  Left. 

FELLOWS.  [Apologetically]  Mr.  Hornblower,  ma'am; 
by  appointment,  he  says. 

MRS.  H.  Quite  right,  Fellows. 

HORNBLOWER  comes  in,  and  FELLOWS  goes  out. 

HORNBLOWER.  [Without  salutation]  I've  come  to  ask 
ye  point  blank  what  ye  mean  by  writing  me  these  let- 
ters. [He  takes  out  two  letters]  And  we'll  discuss  it  in 
the  presence  of  nobody,  if  ye  please. 

MRS.  H.  Mr.  Dawker  knows  all  that  I  know,  and 
more. 

HORNBLOWER.  Does  he  ?  Very  well !  Your  second 
note  says  that  my  daughter-in-law  has  lied  to  me. 
Well,  I've  brought  her,  and  what  ye've  got  to  say — if 
it's  not  just  a  trick  to  see  me  again — ye'll  say  to  her 
face.  [He  takes  a  step  towards  the  window. 

MRS.  H.  Mr.  Hornblower,  you  had  better  decide 
that  after  hearing  what  it  is — we  shall  be  quite  ready 
to  repeat  it  in  her  presence;  but  we  want  to  do  as  little 
harm  as  possible. 

HORNBLOWER.  [Stopping]  Oh!  ye  do!  Well,  what 
lies  have  ye  been  hearin'  ?  Or  what  have  ye  made  up  ? 
You  and  Mr.  Dawker?  Of  course  ye  know  there's  a 
law  of  libel  and  slander.  I'm  not  the  man  to  stop  at 
that. 


sc.  i  THE  SKIN  GAME  91 

MRS.  H.  [Calmly]  Are  you  familiar  with  the  law  of 
divorce,  Mr.  Hornblower  ? 

HORNBLOWER.  [Taken  aback]    No,  I'm  not.     That 

MBS.  H.  Well,  you  know  that  misconduct  is  re- 
quired. And  I  suppose  you've  heard  that  cases  are 
arranged. 

HORNBLOWER.  I  know  it's  all  very  shocking — what 
about  it  ? 

MRS.  H.  When  cases  are  arranged,  Mr.  Hornblower, 
the  man  who  is  to  be  divorced  often  visits  an  hotel 
with  a  strange  woman.  I  am  extremely  sorry  to  say 
that  your  daughter-in-law,  before  her  marriage,  was 
in  the  habit  of  being  employed  as  such  a  woman. 

HORNBLOWER.  Ye  dreadful  creature ! 

DAWKER.  [Quickly]  All  proved,  up  to  the  hilt ! 

HORNBLOWER.  I  don't  believe  a  word  of  it.  Ye're 
lyin'  to  save  your  skins.  How  dare  ye  tell  me  such 
monstrosities?  Dawker,  I'll  have  ye  hi  a  criminal 
court. 

DAWKER.  Rats!  You  saw  a  gent  with  me  yester- 
day? Well,  he's  employed  her. 

HORNBLOWER.  A  put-up  job !    Conspiracy ! 

MRS.  H.  Go  and  get  your  daughter-in-law. 

HORNBLOWER.  [With  the  first  sensation  of  being  in  a 
net]  It's  a  foul  shame — a  lying  slander ! 

MRS.  H.  If  so,  it's  easily  disproved.  Go  and  fetch 
her. 

HORNBLOWER.  [Seeing  them  unmoved]  I  will.  I  don't 
believe  a  word  of  it. 


92  THE  SKIN  GAME  ACT  in 

MRS.  H.  I  hope  you  are  right. 

HORNBLOWEB  goes  out  by  the  French  window, 
DAWKER  slips  to  the  door  Right,  opens  it, 
and  speaks  to  those  within.  MRS.  HILLCRIST 
stands  moistening  her  lips,  and  passing  her 
handkerchief  over  them.  HORNBLOWER  re- 
turns, preceding  CHLOE,  strung  up  to  hard- 
ness and  defiance. 

HORNBLOWER.  Now  then,  let's  have  this  impudent 
story  torn  to  rags. 
CHLOE.  What  story  ? 
HORNBLOWER.  That  you,  my  dear,  were  a  woman — 

it's  too  shockin' — I  don't  know  how  to  tell  ye 

CHLOE.  Go  on ! 

HORNBLOWER.  Were  a  woman  that  went  with  men, 
to  get  them  then*  divorce. 
CHLOE.  Who  says  that  ? 

HORNBLOWER.  That  lady  [Sneering]  there,  and  her 
bull-terrier  here. 

CHLOE.  [Facing  MRS.  HILLCRIST]  That's  a  charita- 
ble thing  to  say,  isn't  it? 
MRS.  H.  Is  it  true? 
CHLOE.  No. 

HORNBLOWER.  [Furiously]  There!    I'll  have  ye  both 
on  your  knees  to  her! 
DAWKER.  [Opening  the  door,  Right]  Come  in. 

The  FIRST  STRANGER  comes  in.    CHLOE,  with 

a  visible  effort,  turns  to  face  him. 
FIRST  S.  How  do  you  do,  Mrs.  Vane? 
CHLOE.  I  don't  know  you. 


sc.  i  THE  SKIN  GAME  93 

FIRST  S.  Your  memory  is  bad,  ma'am.     You  knew 
me  yesterday  well  enough.    One  day  is  not  a  long 
time,  nor  are  three  years. 
CHLOE.  Who  are  you  ? 

FIRST  S.  Come,  ma'am,  come !    The  Custer  case. 
CHLOE.  I  don't  know  you,  I  say.  [To  MBS.  HILL- 
CRIST]  How  can  you  be  so  vile  ? 

FIRST  S.  Let   me   refresh   your   memory,    ma'am. 
[Producing  a  notebook]  Just  on  three  years  ago:  "Oct.  3. 

To  fee  and  expenses  Mrs.  Vane  with  Mr.  C ,  Hotel 

Beaulieu,  Twenty  pounds.  Oct.  10,  Do.,  Twenty 
pounds."  [To  HORNBLOWER]  Would  you  like  to  glance 
at  this  book,  sir  ?  You'll  see  they're  genuine  entries. 

HORNBLOWER  makes  a  motion  to  do  so,  but 

checks  himself  and  looks  at  CHLOE. 
CHLOE.  [Hysterically]  It's  all  lies — lies! 
FIRST  S.  Come,  ma'am,  we  wish  you  no  harm. 
CHLOE.  Take  me  away.    I  won't  be  treated  like 
this. 

MRS.  H.  [In  a  low  voice]  Confess. 
CHLOE.  Lies! 

HORNBLOWER.  Were  ye  ever  called  Vane  ? 
CHLOE.  No,  never. 

She  makes  a  movement  towards  the  window, 

but  DAWKER  is  in  the  way,  and  she  halts. 
FIRST  S.  {Opening  the  door,  Right]  Henry. 

The  SECOND  STRANGER  comes  in  quickly.  At 
sight  of  him  CHLOE  throws  up  her  hands, 
gasps,  breaks  down,  stage  Left,  and  stands 
covering  her  face  with  her  hands.  It  is  to 


94  THE   SKIN   GAME  ACT  in 

complete    a    confession    thai    HORNBLOWKB 
stands  staggered;  and,  taking  out  a  coloured 
handkerchief,  wipes  his  brow. 
DAWKEB.  Are  you  convinced  ? 
HORNBLOWEK.  Take  those  men  away. 
DAWKEB.  If  you're  not  satisfied,  we  can  get  other 
evidence;  plenty. 

HOBNBLOWEB.  [Looking  at  CHLOE]  That's  enough. 
Take  them  out.  Leave  me  alone  with  her. 

[DAWKEB  takes  them  out  Right. 
MBS.  HILLCBIST  passes  HOENBLOWEB  and  goes 
out  at  the  window.    HORNBLOWER   moves 
down  a  step  or  two  towards  CHLOE. 
HORNBLOWEB.  My  God ! 

CHLOE.  [With  an  outburst]  Don't  tell  Charlie !  Don't 
tell  Charlie ! 

HOBNBLOWER.  Chearlie !  So  that  was  your  manner 
of  life.  [CHLOE  utters  a  moaning  sound. 

So  that's  what  ye  got  out  of  by  marryin'  into  my 
family !    Shame  on  ye,  ye  Godless  thing ! 
CHLOE.  Don't  tell  Charlie ! 

HOBNBLOWER.  And  that's  all  ye  can  say  for  the 
wreck  ye've  wrought.  My  family,  my  works,  my 
future !  How  dared  ye ! 

CHLOE.  If  you'd  been  me ! 

HORNBLOWER.  An'  these  Hillcrists.  The  skin  game 
of  it! 

CHLOE.  [Breathless]  Father! 
HORNBLOWEB.  Don't  call  me  that,  woman ! 
CHLOE.  [Desperate]  I'm  going  to  have  a  child. 


sc.  i  THE  SKIN  GAME  95 

HORNBLOWER.  God !    Ye  are ! 

CHLOE.  Your  grandchild.  For  the  sake  of  it,  do 
what  these  people  want;  and  don't  tell  anyone — Don't 
tell  Charlie! 

HORNBLOWER.  [Again  wiping  his  forehead}  A  secret 
between  us.  I  don't  know  that  I  can  keep  it.  It's 
horrible.  Poor  Chearlie ! 

CHLOE.  [Suddenly  fierce]  You  must  keep  it,  you 
shall !  I  won't  have  him  told.  Don't  make  me  des- 
perate !  I  can  be — I  didn't  live  that  life  for  nothing. 

HORNBLOWER.  [Staring  at  her  revealed  in  a  new  light} 
Ay;  ye  look  a  strange,  wild  woman,  as  I  see  ye.  And 
we  thought  the  world  of  ye ! 

CHLOE.  I  love  Charlie;  I'm  faithful  to  him.  I  can't 
live  without  him.  You'll  never  forgive  me,  I  know; 

but  Charlie !  [Stretching  out  her  hands. 

HORNBLOWER  makes  a  bewildered  gesture  with 
his  large  hands. 

HORNBLOWER.  I'm  all  at  sea  here.  Go  out  to  the 
car  and  wait  for  me. 

[CHLOE  passes  him  and  goes  out,  Left. 
[Muttering  to  himself]  So  I'm  down !  Me  enemies  put 
their  heels  upon  me  head !  Ah !  but  we'll  see  yet ! 

He  goes  up  to  the  window  and  beckons  towards 
the  Right. 

[MRS.  HILLCRIST  comes  in. 
What  d'ye  want  for  this  secret  ? 

MRS.  H.  Nothing. 

HORNBLOWER.  Indeed!  Wonderful! — the  trouble 
ye've  taken  for — nothing. 


96  THE  SKIN  GAME  ACT  m 

MRS.  H.  If  you  harm  us  we  shall  harm  you.  Any 
use  whatever  of  the  Gentry 

HORNBLOWER.  For  which  ye  made  me  pay  nine 
thousand  five  hundred  pounds. 

MRS.  H.  We  will  buy  it  from  you. 

HORNBLOWER.  At  what  price  ? 

MRS.  H.  The  Gentry  at  the  price  Miss  Mullins 
would  have  taken  at  first,  and  Longmeadow  at  the 
price  you  gave  us — four  thousand  five  hundred  alto- 
gether. 

HORNBLOWER.  A  fine  price,  and  me  six  thousand 
out  of  pocket.  Na,  no !  I'll  keep  it  and  hold  it  over 
ye.  Ye  daren't  tell  this  secret  so  long  as  I've  got  it. 

MRS.  H.  No,  Mr.  Hornblower.  On  second  thoughts, 
you  must  sell.  You  broke  your  word  over  the  Jack- 
mans.  We  can't  trust  you.  We  would  rather  have 
our  place  here  ruined  at  once,  than  leave  you  the  power 
to  ruin  it  as  and  when  you  like.  You  will  sell  us  the 
Gentry  and  Longmeadow  now,  or  you  know  what  will 
happen. 

HORNBLOWER.  [Writhing]  I'll  not.    It's  blackmail. 

MRS.  H.  Very  well  then !  Go  your  own  way  and 
we'll  go  ours.  There  is  no  witness  to  this  conversation. 

HORNBLOWER.  [Venomously]  By  heaven,  ye're  a 
clever  woman.  Will  ye  swear  by  Almighty  God  that 
you  and  your  family,  and  that  agent  of  yours,  won't 
breathe  a  word  of  this  shockin'  thing  to  mortal  soul. 

MRS.  H.  Yes,  if  you  sell. 

HORNBLOWER.  Where's  Dawker  ? 

MRS.  H.  [Going  to  the  door,  Right]  Mr.  Dawker ! 

[DAWKER  comes  in. 


sc.  i  THE  SKIN  GAME  97 

HORNBLOWEB.  I  suppose  ye've  got  your  iniquity 
ready.  [DAWKEB  grins  and  produces  the  document. 

It's  mighty  near  conspiracy,  this.    Have  ye  got  a 
Testament  ? 

MBS.  H.  My  word  will  be  enough,  Mr.  Hornblower. 

HORNBLOWER.  Ye'll  pardon  me — I  can't  make  it 
solemn  enough  for  you. 

MBS.  H.  Very  well;  here  is  a  Bible. 

[She  takes  a  small  Bible  from  the  bookshelf. 

DAWKER.  [Spreading  document  on  bureau]  This  is  a 
short  conveyance  of  the  Gentry  and  Longmeadow — 
recites  sale  to  you  by  Miss  Mullins  of  the  first,  John 
Hillcrist  of  the  second,  and  whereas  you  have  agreed 
for  the  sale  to  said  John  Hillcrist,  for  the  sum  of  four 
thousand  five  hundred  pounds,  in  consideration  of  the 
said  sum,  receipt  whereof,  you  hereby  acknowledge  you 
do  convey  all  that,  etc.  Sign  here.  I'll  witness. 

HORNBLOWEB.  [To  MBS.  HILLCRIST]  Take  that  Book 
in  your  hand,  and  swear  first.  I  swear  by  Almighty 
God  never  to  breathe  a  word  of  what  I  know  concerning 
Chloe  Hornblower  to  any  living  soul. 

MRS.  H.  No,  Mr.  Hornblower;  you  will  please  sign 

first.     We  are  not  in  the  habit  of  breaking  our  words. 

HORNBLOWER,  after  a  furious  look  at  them, 

seizes  a  pen,  runs  his  eye  again  over  the  deed, 

and  signs,  DAWKER  witnessing. 

To  that  oath,  Mr.  Hornblower,  we  shall  add  the  words, 
"So  long  as  the  Hornblower  family  do  us  no  harm." 

HORNBLOWER.  [With  a  snarl}  Take  it  in  your  hands, 
both  of  ye,  and  together  swear. 

MRS.  H.  [Taking   the   Book]  I   swear   that   I   will 


98  THE  SKIN  GAME  ACT  m 

breathe  no  word  of  what  I  know  concerning  Chloe 
Hornblower  to  any  living  soul,  so  long  as  the  Horn- 
blower  family  do  us  no  harm. 

DAWKER.  I  swear  that  too. 

MRS.  H.  I  engage  for  my  husband. 

HORNBLOWER.  Where  are  those  two  fellows? 

DAWKER.  Gone.    It's  no  business  of  theirs. 

HORNBLOWER.  It's  no  business  of  any  of  ye  what 
has  happened  to  a  woman  in  the  past.  Ye  know  that. 
Good-day ! 

He  gives  them  a  deadly  look,  and  goes  out,  Left, 
followed  by  DAWKER. 

MRS.  H.  [With  her  hand  on  the  Deed]  Safe ! 

HILLCRIST  enters  at  the  French  window,  fol- 
lowed by  JILL. 

[Holding  up  the  Deed]  Look !  He's  just  gone !  I  told 
you  it  was  only  necessary  to  use  the  threat.  He  caved 
in  and  signed  this;  we  are  sworn  to  say  nothing.  We've 
beaten  him.  [HILLCRIST  studies  the  Deed. 

JILL.  [Awed]  We  saw  Chloe  in  the  car.  How  did 
she  take  it,  mother? 

MRS.  H.  Denied,  then  broke  down  when  she  saw 
our  witnesses.  I'm  glad  you  were  not  here,  Jack. 

JILL.  [Suddenly]  I  shall  go  and  see  her. 

MRS.  H.  Jill,  you  will  not ;  you  don't  know  what 
she's  done. 

JILL.  I  shall.    She  must  be  in  an  awful  state. 

HILLCRIST.  My  dear,  you  can  do  her  no  good. 

JILL.  I  think  I  can,  Dodo. 

MRS.  H.  You    don't    understand    human    nature. 


sc.  i  THE  SKIN  GAME  99 

We're  enemies  for  life  with  those  people.  You're  a 
little  donkey  if  you  think  anything  else. 

JILL.  I'm  going,  all  the  same. 

MRS.  H.  Jack,  forbid  her. 

HILLCKIST.  [Lifting  an  eyebrow]  Jill,  be  reasonable. 

JILL.  Suppose  I'd  taken  a  knock  like  that,  Dodo, 
I'd  be  glad  of  friendliness  from  someone. 

MRS.  H.  You  never  could  take  a  knock  like  that. 

JILL.  You  don't  know  what  you  can  do  till  you  try, 
mother. 

HILLCRIST.  Let  her  go,  Amy.  I'm  sorry  for  that 
young  woman. 

MRS.  H.  You'd  be  sorry  for  a  man  who  picked  your 
pocket,  I  believe. 

HILLCRIST.  I  certainly  should!  Deuced  little  he'd 
get  out  of  it,  when  I've  paid  for  the  Gentry. 

MRS.  H.  [Bitterly]  Much  gratitude  I  get  for  saving 
you  both  our  home ! 

JILL.  [Disarmed]  Oh!  Mother,  we  are  grateful 
Dodo,  show  your  gratitude. 

HILLCRIST.  Well,  my  dear,  it's  an  intense  relief.  I'm 
not  good  at  showing  my  feelings,  as  you  know.  What 
d'you  want  me  to  do  ?  Stand  on  one  leg  and  crow  ? 

JILL.  Yes,  Dodo,  yes !  Mother,  hold  him  while  I — 
[Suddenly  she  stops,  and  all  the  fun  goes  out  of  her]  No ! 
I  can't — I  can't  help  thinking  of  her. 

CURTAIN  falls  for  a  Minute. 


SCENE  n 

EVENING 

When  it  rises  again,  the  room  is  empty  and  dark,  save  for 
moonlight  coming  in  through  the  French  window, 
which  is  open. 

The  figure  of  CHLOE,  in  a  black  cloak,  appears  outside 
in  the  moonlight ;  she  peers  in,  moves  past,  comes 
back,  hesitatingly  enters.  The  cloak,  fallen  back, 
reveals  a  white  evening  dress  ;  and  that  magpie  figure 
stands  poised  watchfully  in  the  dim  light,  then  flaps 
unhappily  Left  and  Right,  as  if  she  could  not  keep 
still.  Suddenly  she  stands  listening. 

ROLF'S  VOICE.  [Outside]  Chloe !  Chloe  ? 

[He  appear f. 

CHLOE.  [Going  to  the  window]  What  are  you  doing 
here? 

ROLF.  What  are  you  ?    I  only  followed  you. 

CHLOE.  Go  away ! 

ROLF.  What's  the  matter?    Tell  me! 

CHLOE.  Go  away,  and  don't  say  anything.  Oh! 
The  roses !  [She  has  put  her  nose  into  same  roses  in  a 
bowl  on  a  big  stand  close  to  the  window]  Don't  they  smell 
lovely  ? 

ROLF.  What  did  Jill  want  this  afternoon  ? 
100 


sc.  ii  THE  SKIN  GAME  101 

CHLOE.  I'll  tell  you  nothing.    Go  away ! 
ROLF.  I  don't  like  leaving  you  here  in  this  state. 
CHLOE.  What  state?    I'm  all  right.    Wait  for  me 
down  in  the  drive,  if  you  want  to. 

[RoLF  starts  to  go,  stops,  looks  at  her,  and  does  go. 
CHLOE,  with  a  little  moaning  sound,  flutters 
again,  magpie-like,  up  and  down,  then  stands 
by  the  window  listening.  Voices  are  heard, 
Left.  She  darts  out  of  the  window  and  away 
to  the  Right,  as  HILLCRIST  and  JILL  come 
in.  They  have  turned  up  the  electric  light, 
and  come  down  in  front  of  the  fireplace,  where 
HILLCRIST  sits  in  an  armchair,  and  JILL  on 
the  arm  of  it.  They  are  in  undress  evening 
attire. 

HILLCRIST.  Now,  tell  me. 

JILL.  There  isn't  much,  Dodo.  I  was  in  an  awful 
funk  for  fear  I  should  meet  any  of  the  others,  and  of 
course  I  did  meet  Rolf,  but  I  told  him  some  lie,  and  he 
took  me  to  her  room — boudoir,  they  call  it — isn't 
boudoir  a  "dug-out"  word? 

HILLCRIST.  [Meditatively]  The  sulking  room.  Well? 
JILL.  She  was  sitting  like  this.  [She  buries  her  chin 
in  her  hands,  with  her  elbows  on  her  knees]  And  she  said 
in  a  sort  of  fierce  way:  "What  do  you  want?"  And 
I  said:  "I'm  awfully  sorry,  but  I  thought  you  might 
like  it." 

HILLCHIST.  Well? 

JILL.  She  looked  at  me  hard,  and  said:  "I  suppose 
you  know  all  about  it."  And  I  said:  "Only  vaguely," 


102  THE  SKIN  GAME  ACT  in 

because  of  course  I  don't.  And  she  said:  "Well,  it  was 
decent  of  you  to  come."  Dodo,  she  looks  like  a  lost 
soul.  What  has  she  done  ? 

HILLCRIST.  She  committed  her  real  crime  when  she 
married  young  Hornblower  without  telling  him.  She 
came  out  of  a  certain  world  to  do  it. 

JILL.  Oh !  [Staring  in  front  of  her]  Is  it  very  awful 
in  that  world,  Dodo? 

HILLCRIST.  [Uneasy]  I  don't  know,  Jill.  Some  can 
stand  it,  I  suppose;  some  can't.  I  don't  know  which 
sort  she  is. 

JILL.  One  thing  I'm  sure  of:  she's  awfully  fond  of 
Chearlie. 

HILLCRIST.  That's  bad;  that's  very  bad. 

JILL.  And  she's  frightened,  horribly.  I  think  she's 
desperate. 

HILLCRIST.  Women  like  that  are  pretty  tough,  Jill; 
don't  judge  her  too  much  by  your  own  feelings. 

JILL.  No;  only —  Oh!  it  was  beastly;  and  of 
course  I  dried  up. 

HILLCRIST.  [Feelingly]  H'm!  One  always  does.  But 
perhaps  it  was  as  well;  you'd  have  been  blundering  in 
a  dark  passage. 

JILL.  I  just  said:  "Father  and  I  feel  awfully  sorry; 
if  there's  anything  we  can  do " 

HILLCRIST.  That  was  risky,  Jill. 

JILL.  [Disconsolately]  I  had  to  say  something.  I'm 
glad  I  went,  anyway.  I  feel  more  human. 

HILLCRIST.  We  had  to  fight  for  our  home.  I  should 
have  felt  like  a  traitor  if  I  hadn't. 


sc.  ii  THE  SKIN  GAME  103 

JILL.  I'm  not  enjoying  home  to-night,  Dodo. 

HILLCRIST.  I  never  could  hate  properly;  it's  a  con- 
founded nuisance. 

JILL.  Mother's  fearfully  bucked,  and  Dawker's  sim- 
ply oozing  triumph.  I  don't  trust  him,  Dodo;  he's  too 
— not  pugilistic — the  other  one  with  a  pug — naceous. 

HILLCRIST.  He  is  rather. 

JILL.  I'm  sure  he  wouldn't  care  tuppence  if  Chloe 
committed  suicide. 

HILLCRIST.  [Rising  uneasily]  Nonsense !    Nonsense ! 

JILL.  I  wonder  if  mother  would. 

HILLCRIST.  [Turning  his  face  towards  the  window} 
What's  that?  I  thought  I  heard — [Louder]  Is  there 
anybody  out  there? 

No  answer,  JILL  springs  up  and  runs  to  the 
window. 

JILL.  You !  [She  dives  through  to  the  Right,  and 
returns,  holding  CHLOE'S  hand  and  drawing  her  forward] 
Come  in !  It's  only  us !  [To  HILLCRIST]  Dodo ! 

HILLCRIST.  [Flustered,  but  making  a  show  of  courtesy] 
Good  evening !  Won't  you  sit  down  ? 

JILL.  Sit  down;  you're  all  shaky. 

She  makes  CHLOE  sit  down  in  the  armchair, 
out  of  which  they  have  risen,  then  locks  the 
door,  and  closing  the  windows,  draws  the 
curtains  hastily  over  them. 

HILLCRIST.  [Awkward  and  expectant]  Can  I  do  any- 
thing for  you  ? 

CHLOE.  I  couldn't  bear  it — he's  coming  to  ask 
you 


104  THE  SKIN  GAME  ACT  in 

HlLLCRIST.   Who? 

CHLOE.  My  husband.  [She  draws  in  her  breath  with 
a  long  shudder,  then  seems  to  seize  her  courage  in  her 
hands]  I've  got  to  be  quick.  He  keeps  on  asking — 
he  knows  there's  something. 

HILLCRIST.  Make  your  mind  easy.  We  shan't  tell 
him. 

CHLOE.  [Appealing]  Oh!  that's  not  enough.  Can't 
you  tell  him  something  to  put  him  back  to  thinking 
it's  all  right?  I've  done  him  such  a  wrong.  I  didn't 
realise  till  after — I  thought  meeting  him  was  just  a 
piece  of  wonderful  good  luck,  after  what  I'd  been 
through.  I'm  not  such  a  bad  lot — not  really. 

She  stops  from  the  over-quivering  of  her  lips. 
JILL,  standing  beside  the  chair,  strokes  her 
shoulder.  HILLCRIST  stands  very  still,  pain- 
fully biting  at  a  finger. 

You  see,  my  father  went  bankrupt,  and  I  was  in  a  shop 
till 

HILLCRIST.  [Soothingly,  and  to  prevent  disclosures] 
Yes,  yes;  yes,  yes! 

CHLOE.  I  never  gave  a  man  away  or  did  anything 

I  was  ashamed  of — at  least — I  mean,  I  had  to  make 

my  living  in  all  sorts  of  ways,  and  then  I  met  Charlie. 

Again  she  stopped  from  the  quivering  of  her 

lips. 

JILL.  It's  all  right. 

CHLOE.  He  thought  I  was  respectable,  and  that  was 
guch  a  relief,  you  can't  think,  so — so  I  let  him. 

JILL.  Dodo!    It's  awful! 

HILLCRIST.  It  is ! 


sc.  ii  THE  SKIN  GAME  105 

CHLOE.  And  after  I  married  him,  you  see,  I  fell  in 
love.  If  I  had  before,  perhaps  I  wouldn't  have  dared — 
only,  I  don't  know — you  never  know,  do  you  ?  When 
there's  a  straw  going,  you  catch  at  it. 

JILL.  Of  course  you  do. 

CHLOE.  And  now,  you  see,  I'm  going  to  have  a  child. 

JILL.  [Aghast]  Oh !  Are  you  ? 

HILLCRIST.  Good  God ! 

CHLOE.  [Dully]  I've  been  on  hot  bricks  all  this 
month,  ever  since — that  day  here.  I  knew  it  was  hi 
the  wind.  What  gets  in  the  wind  never  gets  out.  [She 
rises  and  throws  out  her  arms]  Never!  It  just  blows 
here  and  there  [Desolately]  and  then  blows  home.  [Her 
voice  changes  to  resentment]  But  I've  paid  for  being  a 
fool — 'tisn't  fun,  that  sort  of  life,  I  can  tell  you.  I'm 
not  ashamed  and  repentant,  and  all  that.  If  it  wasn't 
for  him !  I'm  afraid  he'll  never  forgive  me;  it's  such 
a  disgrace  for  him — and  then,  to  have  his  child !  Being 
fond  of  him,  I  feel  it  much  worse  than  anything  I  ever 
felt,  and  that's  saying  a  good  bit.  It  is. 

JILL.  [Energetically]  Look  here !  He  simply  mustn't 
find  out. 

CHLOE.  That's  it;  but  it's  started,  and  he's  bound  to 
keep  on  because  he  knows  there's  something.  A  man 
isn't  going  to  be  satisfied  when  there's  something  he 
suspects  about  his  wife.  Charlie  wouldn't — never. 
He's  clever,  and  he's  jealous;  and  he's  coming  here. 

[She  stops,  and  looks  round  wildly,  listening. 

JILL.  Dodo,  what  can  we  say  to  put  him  clean  off 
the  scent? 

HILLCBIST.  Anything  in  reason. 


106  THE  SKIN  GAME  ACT  in 

CHLOE.  [Catching  at  this  straw]  You  will !  You  see, 
I  don't  know  what  I'll  do.  I've  got  soft,  being  looked 
after — he  does  love  me.  And  if  he  throws  me  off,  I'll 
go  under — that's  all. 

HILLCRIST.  Have  you  any  suggestion  ? 

CHLOE.  [Eagerly]  The  only  thing  is  to  tell  him  some- 
thing positive,  something  he'll  believe,  that's  not  too 
bad — like  my  having  been  a  lady  clerk  with  those  peo- 
ple who  came  here,  and  having  been  dismissed  on  sus- 
picion of  taking  money.  I  could  get  him  to  believe 
that  wasn't  true. 

JILL.  Yes;  and  it  isn't — that's  splendid !  You'd  be 
able  to  put  such  conviction  into  it.  Don't  you  think 
so,  Dodo  ? 

HILLCBIST.  Anything  I  can.    I'm  deeply  sorry. 

CHLOE.  Thank  you.  And  don't  say  I've  been  here, 
will  you?  He's  very  suspicious.  You  see,  he  knows 
that  his  father  has  re-sold  that  land  to  you;  that's  what 
he  can't  make  out — that,  and  my  coming  here  this 
morning;  he  knows  something's  being  kept  from  him; 
and  he  noticed  that  man  with  Dawker  yesterday. 
And  my  maid's  been  spying  on  me.  It's  in  the  air. 
He  puts  two  and  two  together.  But  I've  told  him 
there's  nothing  he  need  worry  about;  nothing  that's 
true. 

HILLCEIST.  What  a  coil ! 

CHLOE.  I'm  very  honest  and  careful  about  money. 
So  he  won't  believe  that  about  me,  and  the  old  man 
wants  to  keep  it  from  Charlie,  I  know. 

HILLCBIST.  That  does  seem  the  best  way  out. 


sc.  ii  THE  SKIN  GAME  107 

CHLOE.  [With  a  touch  of  defiance]  I'm  a  true  wife  to 
him. 

JILL.  Of  course  we  know  that. 

HILLCRIST.  It's  all  unspeakably  sad.    Deception's 

horribly  against  the  grain — but 

CHLOE.  [Eagerly]  When  I  deceived  him,  I'd  have 
deceived  God  Himself — I  was  so  desperate.    You've 
never  been  right  down  in  the  mud.    You  can't  under- 
stand what  I've  been  through. 
HILLCRIST.  Yes,  yes.    I  daresay  I'd  have  done  the 

same.    I  should  be  the  last  to  judge 

[CHLOE  covers  her  eyes  with  her  hands. 
There,  there !    Cheer  up ! 

[He  puts  his  hand  on  her  arm. 
JILL.  [To  herself]  Darling  Dodo ! 
CHLOE.  [Starting]  There's  somebody  at  the  door.    I 
must  go;  I  must  go. 

She  runs  to  the  window  and  slips  through  the 
curtains. 

[The  handle  of  the  door  is  again  turned. 
JILL.  [Dismayed]  Oh!  It's  locked — I  forgot. 

She  springs  to  the  door,  unlocks  and  opens  it, 
while  HILLCRIST  goes  to  the  bureau  and  sits 
down. 

It's  all  right,  Fellows;  I  was  only  saying  something 
rather  important. 

FELLOWS.  [Coming  in  a  step  or  two  and  closing  the 
door  behind  him]  Certainly,  Miss.  Mr.  Charles  'Orn- 
blower  is  in  the  hall.  Wants  to  see  you,  sir,  or  Mrs. 
Hillcrist. 


108  THE  SKIN  GAME  ACT  in 

JILL.  What  a  bore !    Can  you  see  him,  Dodo  ? 
HILLCRIST.  Er — yes.    I  suppose  so.     Show  him  in 
here,  Fellows. 

As  FELLOWS  goes  out,  JILL  runs  to  the  window, 
bid  has  no  time  to  do  more  than  adjust  the 
curtains  and  spring  over  to  stand  by  her 
father,  before  CHARLES  comes  in.     Though  in 
evening  clothes,  he  is  white  and  dishevelled 
for  so  spruce  a  young  man. 
CHARLES.  Is  my  wife  here? 
HILLCRIST.  No,  sir. 
CHARLES.  Has  she  been  ? 
HILLCRIST.  This  morning,  I  believe,  Jill? 
JILL.  Yes,  she  came  this  morning. 
CHARLES.  [Staring   at   her}  I    know   that — now,   I 
mean? 

JILL.  No.  [HILLCRIST  shakes  his  head. 

CHARLES.  Tell  me  what  was  said  this  morning. 
HILLCRIST.  I  was  not  here  this  morning. 
CHARLES.  Don't  try  to  put  me  off.    I  know  too 
much.  [To  JILL]  You. 
JILL.  Shall  I,  Dodo? 

HILLCRIST.  No;  I  will.    Won't  you  sit  down? 
CHARLES.  No.    Go  on. 
HILLCRCST.  [Moistening   his   lips]  It   appears,    Mr. 

Hornblower,  that  my  agent,  Mr.  Dawker 

CHARLES,  who  is  breathing  hard,  utters  a  sound 

of  anger. 

— that  my  agent  happens  to  know  a  firm,  who  in  old 
days  employed  your  wife.     I  should  greatly  prefer  not 


so.  ii  THE  SKIN  GAME  109 

to  say  any  more,  especially  as  we  don't  believe  the 

story. 

JILL.  No;  we  don't. 
CHARLES.  Go  on ! 

HILLCRIST.  [Getting  up]  Come!    If  I  were  you,  I 
should  refuse  to  listen  to  anything  against  my  wife. 
CHARLES.  Go  on,  I  tell  you. 

HILLCRIST.  You  insist?    Well,  they  say  there  was 
some  question  about  the  accounts,  and  your  wife  left 
them  under  a  cloud.    As  I  told  you,  we  don't  believe  it. 
CHARLES.  [Passionately]  Liars ! 

[He  makes  a  rush  for  the  door. 
HILLCRIST.  [Starting]  What  did  you  say? 
JILL.  [Catching  his  arm]  Dodo !  [Sotto  voce]  We  are, 
you  know. 

CHARLES.  [Turning  back  to  them]  Why  do  you  tell 
me  that  lie  ?  When  I've  just  had  the  truth  out  of  that 
little  scoundrel!  My  wife's  been  here;  she  put  you 
up  to  it. 

The  face  of  CHLOE  is  seen  transfixed  between 

the  curtains,  parted  by  her  hands. 
She — she  put  you  up  to  it.    Liar  that  she  is — a  living 
lie.     For  three  years  a  living  lie ! 

HILLCRIST,  whose  face  alone  is  turned  towards 
the  curtains,  sees  that  listening  face.    His 
hand  goes  up  from  uncontrollable  emotion. 
And  hasn't  now  the  pluck  to  tell  me.     I've  done  with 
her.    I  won't  own  a  child  by  such  a  woman. 

With  a  little  sighing  sound  CHLOE  drops  the 
curtain  and  vanishes. 


110  THE  SKIN  GAME  ACT  in 

HILLCRIST.  For  God's  sake,  man,  think  of  what 
you're  saying.    She's  In  great  distress. 

CHARLES.  And  what  am  I? 

JILL.  She  loves  you,  you  know. 

CHARLES.  Pretty  love!    That  scoundrel  Dawker  told 
me — told  me —    Horrible!  Horrible! 

HILLCRIST.  I  deeply  regret  that  our  quarrel  should 
have  brought  this  about. 

CHARLES.    [With    intense    bitterness]   Yes,    you've 
smashed  my  life. 

Unseen  by  them,  MRS.  HILLCRIST  has  entered 
and  stands  by  the  door,  Left. 

MRS.  H.  Would  you  have  wished  to  live  on  in 
ignorance?  [They  all  turn  to  look  at  her. 

CHARLES.  [With  a  writhing  movement]  I  don't  know. 
But — you — you  did  it. 

MRS.  H.  You  shouldn't  have  attacked  us. 

CHARLES.  What  did  we  do  to  you — compared  with 
this? 

MRS.  H.  All  you  could. 

HILLCRIST.  Enough,  enough!    What  can  we  do  to 
help  you  ? 

CHARLES.  Tell  me  where  my  wife  is. 

JILL  draws  the  curtains  apart — the  window  i» 
open — JILL  looks  out.     They  wait  in  silence. 

JILL.  We  don't  know. 

CHARLES.  Then  she  was  here  ? 

HILLCRIST.  Yes,  sir;  and  she  heard  you. 

CHARLES.  All  the  better  if  she  did.    She  knows  how 
I  feel. 


sc.  n  THE  SKIN  GAME  111 

HILLCRIST.  Brace  up;  be  gentle  with  her. 

CHARLES.  Gentle  ?    A  woman  who — who 

HILLCRIST.  A  most  unhappy  creature.     Come ! 
CHARLES.  Damn  your  sympathy ! 

He  goes  out  into  the  moonlight,  passing  away, 

Left. 

JILL.  Dodo,  we  ought  to  look  for  her;  I'm  awfully 
afraid. 

HILLCRIST.  I  saw  her  there — listening.     With  child ! 

Who  knows  where  things  end  when  they  once  begin? 

To  the  gravel  pit,  Jill;  I'll  go  to  the  pond.    No,  we'll 

go  together.  [They  go  out. 

MRS.  HILLCRIST  comes  down  to  the  fireplace, 

rings  the   bell  and  stands   there,   thinking. 

FELLOWS  enters. 

MRS.  H.  I  want  someone  to  go  down  to  Mr. 
Dawker's. 

FELLOWS.  Mr.  Dawker  is  here,  ma'am,  waitin'  to 
see  you. 

MRS.  H.  Ask  him  to  come  hi.  Oh !  and  Fellows, 
you  can  tell  the  Jackmans  that  they  can  go  back  to 
their  cottage. 

FELLOWS.  Very  good,  ma'am.  [He  goes  out. 

MRS.  HILLCRIST  searches  at  the  bureau,  finds 
and  takes  out  the  deed.  DAWKER  comes  in  ; 
he  has  the  appearance  of  a  man  whose  tem- 
per has  been  badly  ruffled. 

MRS.  H.  Charles  Hornblower — how  did  it  happen? 

DAWKER.  He  came  to  me.    I  said  I  knew  nothing. 

He  wouldn't  take  it;  went  for  me,  abused  me  up  hill 


112  THE  SKIN  GAME  ACT  in 

and  down  dale;  said  he  knew  everything,  and  then  he 
began  to  threaten  me.  Well,  I  lost  my  temper,  and 
I  told  him. 

MRS.  H.  That's  very  serious,  Dawker,  after  our 
promise.  My  husband  is  most  upset. 

DAWKER.  [Sullenly]  It's  not  my  fault,  ma'am;  he 
shouldn't  have  threatened  and  goaded  me  on.  Besides, 
it's  got  out  that  there's  a  scandal;  common  talk  in  the 
village — not  the  facts,  but  quite  enough  to  cook  their 
goose  here.  They'll  have  to  go.  Better  have  done 
with  it,  anyway,  than  have  enemies  at  your  door. 

MRS.  H.  Perhaps;  but —  Oh!  Dawker,  take 
charge  of  this.  [She  hands  him  the  deed]  These  people 
are  desperate — and — I'm  not  sure  of  my  husband  when 
his  feelings  are  worked  on, 

[The  sound  of  a  car  stopping. 

DAWKER.  [At  the  window,  looking  to  the  Left]  Horn- 
blower's,  I  think.  Yes,  he's  getting  out. 

MRS.  H.  [Bracing  herself}  You'd  better  wait,  then. 

DAWKER.  He  mustn't  give  me  any  of  his  sauce;  I've 
had  enough. 

The  door  is  opened  and  HORNBLOWER  enters, 
pressing  so  on  the  heels  of  FELLOWS  that  the 
announcement  of  his  name  is  lost. 

HORNBLOWER.  Give  me  that  deed!  Ye  got  it  out 
of  me  by  false  pretences  and  treachery.  Ye  swore 
that  nothing  should  be  heard  of  this.  Why !  me  own 
servants  know ! 

MRS.  H.  That  has  nothing  to  do  with  us.  Your 
son  came  and  wrenched  the  knowledge  out  of  Mr. 
Dawker  by  abuse  and  threats;  that  is  all.  You  will 


so.  ii  THE  SKIN  GAME  113 

kindly  behave  yourself  here,  or  I  shall  ask  that  you 
be  shown  out. 

HORNBLOWER.  Give  me  that  deed,  I  say !  [He  sud- 
denly turns  on  DAWKER]  Ye  little  ruffian,  I  see  it  in 
your  pocket. 

The  end  indeed  is  projecting  from  DAWKER'S 

breast  pocket. 

DAWKER.  [Seeing  red]  Now,  look  'ere,  'Ornblower, 
I  stood  a  deal  from  your  son,  and  I'll  stand  no  more. 

HORNBLOWER.  [To  MRS.  HILLCRIST]  I'll  ruin  your 
place  yet !  [To  DAWKER]  Ye  give  me  that  deed,  or  I'll 
throttle  ye. 

He  closes  on  DAWKER,  and  makes  a  snatch  at 
the  deed.  DAWKER  springs  at  him,  and  the 
two  stand  swaying,  trying  for  a  grip  at  each 
other's  throats.  MRS.  HILLCRIST  tries  to 
cross  and  reach  the  bett,  but  is  shut  off  by 
their  swaying  struggle. 

Suddenly  ROLF  appears  in  the  window,  looks 
wildly  at  the  struggle,  and  seizes  DAWKER'S 
hands,  which  have  reached  HORNBLOWER'S 
throat.  JILL,  who  is  following,  rushes  up  to 
him  and  clutches  his  arm. 
JILL.  Rolf !  All  of  you !  Stop !  Look ! 

DAWKER'S  hand  relaxes,  and  he  is  swung 
round.  HORNBLOWER  staggers  and  recovers 
himself,  gasping  for  breath.  All  turn  to  the 
window,  outside  which  in  the  moonlight  HILL- 
CRIST  and  CHARLES  HORNBLOWER  have 
CHLOE'S  motionless  body  in  their  arms. 
In  the  gravel  pit.  She's  just  breathing;  that's  all. 


114  THE  SKIN  GAME  ACT  m 

MRS.  H.  Bring  her  in.    The  brandy,  Jill ! 
HORNBLOWER.  No.    Take  her  to  the  car.     Stand 
back,  young  woman !    I  want  no  help  from  any  of  ye. 
Rolf — Chearlie — take  her  up. 

They  lift  and  bear  her  away,  Left.    JILL  fol- 
lows. 

Hillcrist,  ye've  got  me  beaten  and  disgraced  here- 
abouts, ye've  destroyed  my  son's  married  life,  and 
ye've  killed  my  grandchild.  I'm  not  staying  in  this 
cursed  spot,  but  if  ever  I  can  do  you  or  yours  a  hurt, 
I  will. 

DAWKER.  [Muttering]   That's  right.       Squeal  and 
threaten.    You  began  it. 

HILLCRIST.  Dawker,    have    the    goodness!    Horn- 
blower,  in  the  presence  of  what  may  be  death,  with  all 
my  heart  I'm  sorry. 
HORNBLOWER.  Ye  hypocrite ! 

He  passes  them  with  a  certain  dignity,  and  goes 

&ut  at  the  window,  following  to  his  car. 
HILLCRIST,  who  has  stood  for  a  moment  stock- 
still,  goes  slowly  forward  and  sits  in  his  swivel 
chair. 

MRS.  H.  Dawker,  please  tell  Fellows  to  telephone  to 
Dr.  Robinson  to  go  round  to  the  Hornblowers  at  once. 
DAWKER,  fingering  the  deed,  and  with  a  noise 
that  sounds  like  "The  cur!"  goes  out,  Left. 
[At  the  fireplace]  Jack !    Do  you  blame  me  ? 
HILLCRIST.  [Motionless]  No. 
MRS.  H.  Or  Dawker?    He's  done  his  best. 
HILECRIST.  No. 
MRS.  H.  [Approaching]  What  is  it? 


sc.  ii  THE  SKIN  GAME  115 

HILLCRIST.  Hypocrite! 

[JiLL  comes  running  in  at  the  window. 
JILL.  Dodo,  she's  moved;  she's  spoken.    It  may  not 
be  so  bad. 
HILLCBIST.  Thank  God  for  that ! 

[FELLOWS  enters,  Left. 
FELLOWS.  The  Jackmans,  ma'am. 
HILLCRIST.  Who?    What's  this? 

The  JACKMANS  have  entered,  standing  close  to 

the  door. 

MBS.  J.  We're  so  glad  we  can  go  back,  sir — ma'am, 
we  just  wanted  to  thank  you. 

There  is  a  silence.     They  see  that  they  are  not 

welcome. 
Thank  you  kindly,  sir.    Good-night,  ma'am. 

[They  shuffle  out. 

HILLCRIST.  I'd  forgotten  their  existence.  [He  gets  up] 
What  is  it  that  gets  loose  when  you  begin  a  fight,  and 
makes  you  what  you  think  you're  not?  What  blind- 
ing evil!  Begin  as  you  may,  it  ends  in  this — skin 
game !  Skin  game ! 

JILL.  [Rushing  to  him]  It's  not  you,  Dodo;  it's  not 
you,  beloved  Dodo. 

HILLCRIST.  It  is  me.    For  I  am,  or  should  be,  mas- 
ter in  this  house! 
MRS.  H.  I  don't  understand. 

HILLCRIST.  When  we  began  this  fight,  we  had  clean 
hands — are  they  clean  now?  What's  gentility  worth 
if  it  can't  stand  fire? 

CTJBTAIN 


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